IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


/. 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


1^ 

■1° 


2.2 


2.0 


1.8 


U    III  1.6 


V] 


<^ 


/] 


0% 


r%yj^ 


:^/  > 


♦v^ 


^, 


'/ 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


?3  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  rj.Y.  M580 

(716)  872-4503 


4- 


i/.A 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  IVIicroreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 
D 

n 


a 


D 
D 

D 

n 


n 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagee 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurAe  et/ou  pelliculie 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      !    Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serree  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  Song  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  larsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t^  filmdes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplimentaires: 


L'lnstitut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  4t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m^thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

□    Pages  damageJ/ 
Pages  endommag^es 

□    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pellicul6es 


0 

D 

0 
D 

n 

D 
D 


Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  dicclor^es,  tachetdes  ou  piqu^es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d6tach6es 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  in^gale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partieilement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  film^es  d  nouveau  de  facon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous 

10X                             14X                              18X                             22X 

26X 

SOX 

7 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

I 

tails 
1  du 
odifier 
une 
mage 


Th«  copy  fllmad  h«r«  hat  b*«n  raproducad  thanks 
to  tha  ganai jsity  of: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 

Tha  imagas  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  bast  quality 
poasibia  considaring  tha  condition  and  iagibillty 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spacifications. 


Original  copias  in  printad  popar  covars  ara  filmad 
baginning  -  ith  tha  front  lovar  and  anding  on 
tha  last  paga  with  a  printavJ  or  iliustratad  impras- 
sion.  or  tha  back  covar  whan  app;opriata.  All 
othar  original  copias  ara  filmad  baginning  on  tha 
first  paga  with  a  printad  or  iliustratad  impras- 
sion.  and  anding  on  tha  last  paga  with  a  printad 
or  iliustratad  imprassion. 


Tha  last  racordad  frama  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


L'exemplaira  filmi  fut  reproduit  grice  A  la 
g*n4rosit4  de: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 

Las  imagas  suivantas  ont  it4  reproduites  avac  la 
plus  grand  soin.  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
da  la  nettet*  de  raxemplaire  film*,  et  en 
conformity  avac  las  conditions  du  contrsi  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplairas  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  ImprimAe  sont  filmAs  en  commen^ant 
par  la  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
darnlAre  paga  qui  comporta  une  empreihte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration.  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplairas 
originaux  sont  filmAs  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporta  uno  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  derniAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
derniAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symboie  — »•  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN  ". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  In  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planciias,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmAs  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diffArents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  il  est  filmA  A  partir 
de  I'angle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


irrata 
to 


pelure. 
n  d 


□ 

32X 


1 

2 

3 

/ 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

Xif 


HO 


eyySzi/uvest 
CoUectiort 


1] 


1 


SPEECH 


OF 


;  HON.  0.  B.  FICKLLN,  OF  ILLINOIS, 


ON 


THE  OREGON  QUESTION. 


DELIVERED 


I  IN  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  G,  1846. 

I 


WASHINGTON: 

BLAIR  &  RIVES,  PRINTERS. 
1846. 


^UO  p 


The  Rrs 

AfTairs 
Britain 
tcrmin; 
abrogii 
considc 

Mr.  F] 
lows: 

Mr.  C 

sons  who 
unci  the  ] 
by  memb 
iiT>portan< 

The  tn; 
tense  inte 
sentiment 

The  T( 
into  this  ] 
doubts  of 
etep  of  th 
their  fina 
Capitol,  1 
the  eajjcr 
hearts  the 
its  place  i 

A  zeal 
overwhcli 
forward,  i 
and  final! 
reckles.sly 
opinion,  ' 
wave. 


THE  OREGON  QUESTION. 


The  Rpsolution  from  the  Committee  on  Foreign 
AlTiurs,  requiring  the  Pn  sident  to  notify  Great 
Britain  of  the  intention  of  the  United  Suites  to 
terminate  the  joint  orcupaiiry  of  Oregon,  and  to 
abrogate  tiie  convention  of  18:27,  being  under 
considerution  in  Committee  of  the  Whole — 

Mr.  FICKLIN  add'-cssed  the  committee  as  fol- 
lows: 

Mr.  Chairman;  The  immense  concourse  of  per- 

'    sons  who  have  jiressed  to  the  Capitol  each  day, 

jmd  the  profound  and  unusual  attention  bestowed 

;   by  members  on  this  floor,  sufficiently  indicate  the 

importance  of  the  subject  under  discusion. 

The  masses  everywhere  are  aroused,  and  the  in- 
tense interest  felt  here  is  but  an  epitome  of  public 
sentiment  in  the  States. 

The  Texas  resolutions,  which  were  introduced 
into  this  House  at  the  last  session  with  more  than 
doubts  of  their  success,  gained  strength  at  every 
Btep  of  their  onward  progress;  and  on  the  night  of 
their  final  passage  through  the  other  end  of  the 
Capitol,  a  dread  and  deathlike  silence  pervaded 
the  eager  throng,  who  watched  with  throbbing 
hearts  the  first  gleams  of  the  new  star  ascending  to 
its  place  in  our  political  firmament. 

A  zeal  no  less  burning — an  excitement  no  less 
overwhelming— is  destined  to  impel  our  citizens 
forward,  until  the  Oregon  question  is  satisfactorily 
I  and  finally  adjusted;  and  those  politicians  who 
1  recklessly  attempt  to  breast  the  current  of  popular 
opinion,  will  aa  certainly  be  swept  away  by  its 
wave. 

'    ■     i-l  '.'  ■  '-' 


Our  gcogmphic^-xl  position,  and  the  indomitable 
energy  of  our  people,  alike  proclaim  that  this  must 
become  an  ocean-bound  republic;  and  the  decree 
has  gone  forth,  that  we  shall  acquire  territory  on 
this  continent  whenever  we  may  riglitfuliy  do  so, 
anil  that  we  should  not  part  with  one  foot  of  thut 
which  legitimately  belongs  to  us.  \ 

"Texas  and  Oregon"  were  cradled  together  in 
the  Baltimore  convention,  were  inscribed  on  our 
banners,  and  were  flung  to  the  breeze  in  every  por- 
tion of  the  Union.     Tl;c  annexation  of  the  former 
was  a  bloodless  achievement,  and  the  occupation 
of  the  latter  will  be  equally  so,  if  we  be  firm  and 
united.     We  should  suffer  no  sectional  jealousy, 
no  touch  of  selfish  or  mercenary  feeling,  to  warp 
our  judgment  on  a  question  of  this  character.  Nor 
should  we  stop  to  inquire  whether  the  proposed  ac- 
quisition of  territory,  ea.st  or  wc^st,  north  or  south, 
gives  the  balance  of  power  to  this  or  that  section 
of  the  Union;  but,  looking  with  an  eye  single  to 
the  aggrandizement  of  the  nation  as  a  whole,  we 
should  extend  our  limits  when  jver  we  can  do  so 
without  invading  the  rights  of  others.     On  casting 
about,  I  am  gratified  to  learn  that  most  of  the  south- 
ern States,  unbiassed  by  sectional  jealousies,  are 
with  us  on  this  question;  and  that  a  large  majority 
of  their  members  on  this  floor,  animated  by  the  tn* 
American  feeling,  are  found  in  the  front  ranks  doin" 
battle  for  Oregon.    The  parallel  lietwccn  Texas  and 
Oregon  is  striking  in  this,  that  those  of  our  friends 
who  took  the  responsibility  to  vote  against  Texas 
fell  under  the  reproaches,  not  to  say  denunciations 
of  ihei-  brethren,  and  endured  all  the  horrors  of  the 


fii!r2;ot  find  slalc<^.  Tlicy  now,  in  turn,  inJiiltjc  tlip  i 
''irloii  cijiirli'oii.s''  t()\viir*l>'  those  wlin  (iiO'cr  with 
UH  us  to  OrcLjon.  VVhilr  ilic  ni.ijorily  ol'  u.i  niiist 
deeply  n'i!;r(;l  that  iiiiy  occusion  tor  vitiiuci-atioii  : 
Hhiiiild  Imve  itriscii  cither  on  the  one  ha'id  or  the  | 
other,  III!  must  lie  ndinonisiied  tliiit,  on  a  (piestion  | 
of  rcannexalion  or  oceiipalion  (»f  territory,  it  is,  to  [ 
any  th(!  h;ast,  |)eii|oiis  tu  l)e  tender-fooled  on  any  ■ 
part  of  llie  i^rounil.  i 

Tli()si>  who  HI)  earnesily  (aiiil  1   may  iidd  alilv)  i 
oppose  the  '^iviii;:;  tlie  notice  to  ( ireal  l>i  ii  nn,  dilli  r 
wit''-  ns  only  as  to  the  ni'ans  of  oijlainini;  the  end.  ' 
'I'iiey,  with  very  lew  exeeplioiis,  are  derideiHy  ul' 
opinion  that  our  tith-  to  the  (In  ;;on  territory,  up  to 
54^  40',  is  clear  and   indisputable,  and  arc  vvillinj; 
>o  p;o  with  UN  for  all  of  those  that  I  rcf^nrd  an  the  I 
Htronj^  and  warlike    measures,  whieli   look  to  the 
takiiii^and  holiiiiiL;  |iiissession  of  that  eonntry.         j 

My  piir|)iise,  then,  is  not  to  iiphraid  them  for  i 
this  dilfereni'e.  ot'  opinion,  l)u!,  as  far  as  I  can,  to  1 
discuss  the  i]iiestioii  with  them;  to  ojipose  ar'^u- 
nient  to  arijumcnt,  and  let  mind  ?^rapple  with  mind,  j 
until  tiic  judgment  is  convinced,  so  far  as  that  can  i 
be  done.  i 

Tin's  rrsolution  is  deliaied  hy  the   opponents  of 
tlie  notice  as  a  war  nHvisiirc;  and  it  is  son;:ht  to  he  '■ 
made  the  occa^■i(nl  of  prodiiciui';  a  panic  thi-oi!;;h- 
out  the  country;  ami  nroker.s  and  slock-johbers, 
to;:;etlier  with  that  ]>ortion  of  the  American  jiress 
under  their  control,  are  nnilini^'  their  efforts  in  this 
general  outcry  ai^ainst  a  war.     It   is  doubtless  re-  I 
inenibcred  hy  all,   that    these    panic-malicrs  have  j 
been  eiii^aged  from  time  to  time  in  alarming  the  j 
public  mind  tor  the,  purjinse  of  subserving  their  [ 
pecuniary  interests.   That  Great  I'ritain  may  make  ! 
It  the  pretext  of  a  v/ar,  as  she  niiglit  make  the  re-  ' 
annexation  ofl'exas,  or  any  other  exercise  of  our  \ 
rights,  the  pretext  for  war  if  she  cliose  to  do  so,  1 
is  not  denied;  but  that  it  furnishes  no  just  ground  i 
for  an  appeal  to  arms  is,  1  think,  plaiidy  denionstra- 1 
ble.  I 

The  distinguished  member  from  South  Carolina  j 
[Mr.  Riiett]  seemed  to  I'ongraiulate  liinis(  If  upon  i 
the  fact  that  he  was  pitrsuing  a  course  on  this  ques- 
tion in  opposition  to  the  veneralile  gentleman  from 
Massachusetts,  [Mr.  Adams;]  and  that,  therefore,  i 
he  must  be  right.     Let  him  not,  however,  "  lay  the  I 
flattering  unction  to  his  soul;' 'for,  unless  the  signs  j 
of  the  times  greatly  deceive  us,  ]\iassaehusctis  and  , 
South  Carolina,  that  have  indulged  the  most  deadly  : 
hate  and  bitter  feuds  towards  each  other  in  times  i 
past,  will  be  found  side  by  side  at  the  pre.-icnt  mo- 
ment; and  their  sons,  with  a  few  exceptions,  who 
have  been  for  so  long  a  time  "  looking  dagger:*"  at 
each  other,  will  come  up  and  vole  together  against 
Uie  giving  of  this  notice. 

It  is  contended  by  some  gentlemen  that  negotia- 
tions should  be  again  renewed;  but  I  think  very 
differently.  The  ministers  of  Groat  Britain  under- 
stand the  arts  of  diplomacy  better  than  ours.  For 
more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  we  have  failed 
to  settle  this  question  by  negotiation.  Our  ofler 
ofcompromi.se  has  been  formally  withdrawn,  and 
I  think  that  the  matter  should  rest  there;  and  that 
we  should  now  stand  upon  all  of  our  rights  until 
that  imperious  nation  shall  make  us  a  fair  and  just 
offer. 

Some,  again,  are  proposing  to  arbitrate.    This  is 


wholly  inadmi.^sible,  for  in  that  fuljiidication  wr 
should  not  be  tried  liy  our  pi  (  rs.  Crowned  he,ad.H 
do  not  desiie  to  broaden  oi-  leni;then  the  territory  of 
rejiiilplican  i:o\(  rnmeni'< ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  they 
are  stroiiiily  interested  in  enlarging  the  dominions 
and  estaldishiii;;  the  doctrin*'  of  "  the  divine  rit^ht  of 
kings."  As  well  miulit  the  qui  st ion  of  the  divinity 
of  the  Mes.-iiiih  be  submitted  to  the  decision  of  Ma- 
hommedans  and  .few  s,  asf'or  this  {|U(fiiion  to  lie  re- 
ferred to  the  ailiiiraiiient  oI'mouarcLs  or  of  emper- 
ors. We  know  the  decision  in  advance,  .\o,  sir;  as 
mui'h  as  !  li)\e  peace,  (uid  deiiire  to  avoid  war,  yet 
if  there  is  no  oiher  allernali\e  but  to  iirbiirate  this 
ililliculty,  1  would  say,  unhe.sitatin::ly,  let  it  be 
done  at  the  cannon's  mouth. 

Those  of  utir  friends  who  si  em  mo.st  alarmed  at 
the  pros|pect  id"  a  war,  and  who  havi;  depicted  its 
horrors  so  eloipienily  and  so  vividly,  were  not,  1 
l)(  lieve,  when  Texas  v.  as  the  prize,  afraid  to  meet 
.Mexico,  (Jreat  Ihiiain,  and  I''rance,  combined,  on 
the  battle-field,  and  inu-  navy  and  army  were  in  no 
better  slate  of  preparation  thiii  than  they  an-  now. 
The  Mexican  .Mniister  declared  that  nimexaiion 
would  [iroduce  war.  lie.  dcmandi  d  his  passports, 
and  returned  home.  The  fin'.',ers  of  Great  I'.ritain 
and  !•' ranee  were  tiaci d  in  (he  plot  to  prevent  an- 
nexation, [t  wi'.s  iheii  said  we  shoulil  have  war 
with  the  three  Powers  eombincd;  iind  all  the  ef- 
fort then  to  get  up  a  war  panic  did  not  i  heck  the 
••  immoderate  valor''of  our  friend.'',  whusethoughi.M 
seem  now  so  •'turned  on  peacp."  It  apl'ea)•^i  to 
me  that  they  have  phiced  themselves  in  a  dileimina 
from  wiiich  ihev  cainiot  vi;ry  well  iscape,  .South 
Carolina  and  Viri^inia,  then  so  iiupi 'a;ous  and 
eager  for  "  benriliic^'  the  British  lion,"  are  imw  the 
most  elotjuent  in  depicting  the  horrois  of  war  and 
the  prowess  (jf  iJriiisli  arms,  Tlie.-e  nieml'irs  ad- 
mit that  our  title  is  clear,  and  yet  they  are  luiwil- 
ling  to  i^ive  the  notice.  This  is  a  strange  voice  to 
come  from  these  ancient  Commonwealths;  and  did 
we  not  know  better,  it  would  be  supposed  to  ema- 
nate tVom  the  |)eace  i)arty  of  N(;w  En2"land. 

Thedislinguislied  memiierlVom  the  Harper's  l-'er- 
ry  district  in  Virginia  [Mr.  Ijldinoek]  described, 
with  captivating  elorpience,  a  .-icene  he  witnessed 
at  that  peint.  It  was  the  American  eagle,  darting 
along  the  verge  of  a  dark  tiiid  imrtentous  cloudi 
charged  with  thunder  and  gli'aming  wilh  lightning, 
iuid  percliiii;,'-  himself  upon  one  of  iIk;  lol'ii  isf  peaks 
of  the  nine  llidge.  Tliccloiul  pa.-scd  away,  the  sun 
again  shone  forth  from  a  clear  .sky,  and  he  saw  the 
eagle  take  his  flight  westward.  1  trust,  sir,  that  his 
eagle  has  found  a  mouiUain  as  tall,  a  climate  as  ge- 
nial, and  a  sky  as  clear  in  Oregon  as  those  he  left; 
behind  him.  Viru'inia  patrioti.^m  ;;iid  valor  have 
been  illustrated  in  many  a  fearful  conflict;  and 
.should  war  come  upon  us,  I  say,  without  heaita- 
tion,  that  all  the  eagles  that  have  been  driven 
from  her  mountains,  either  by  thunder-clouds  or 
panic  speeches,  will  be  won  back  by  the  deeds  of 
noble  daring  of  her  sons  upon  the  battle-field. 

So,  sir,  with  South  (Carolina,  I  know  it  is  taunt- 
ingly said  that  her  political  leaders  control  the 
masses  with  absolute,  not  to  say,  de.v|)otic  rule.  It 
is  believed  by  many  that  when  her  politicians  take 
snuff,  the  common  people  involuntarily  sneeze  all 
over  the  State;  and  that  you  can  ascertain  the  .state 
of  public  opinion  in  South  Carolina  with  as  much 


(licalion  \vc 
wiK'il  lii'.adH 
'  icnit')fy  "if 
htrary,  iln'y 
'  (liiiniiiiiiiiM 
vino  ritjlu  of 
i!i(;  divinity 
.■sioii  i)f  Ma- 
idii  to  1)C  re- 
If  (if  riii|ior- 
.No,  sir;  a.H 
'id  war,  yet 
rhiiriitc  tlii.s 
y,  Itl   il  he 

I  alannrd  nl 
dr]iict(d  its 
wore  not,  1 
raid  to  luci't 
iiti!)in('d,  on 
•  \v«'rc  ill  no 
vy  arc  now. 
nnncxation 
s  passporls, 
rcat  IJritain 
prevent  an- 
kl  iiavc  Win' 

I  all  tin-  t.f- 
Jt  (  heck  the 
i.sethoiii;li!.-i 

H|»ppa|•^!   to 

II  a  dileniima 
ipc.  South 
K  tr.ous  aii<l 
are  now  the 

of  V.  ar  and 
iieial'irs  nd- 
r  are  nnwil- 
ii;;c  voice  t<i 
tlis;  and  did 
scd  to  ':ma- 
rlatid. 

arper's  l-'er- 
]  (h'scrihed, 
e  witnessed 
xz^p,  dartinii: 
it'ius  clouds 
ill  lij^htniiiij, 
)fli  :.st  peaks 
Aay,  the  sun 
]  he  saw  tlic 
,  sir,  that  hia 
imato  as  gc- 
(liose  he  left 
I  valor  have 
■onflii't;  and 
hoiit  heaitii- 
hcen  driven 
er-clouds  or 
the  deeds  of 
;Ie-fiekf. 
V  it  is  taunt- 
control  the; 
)tic  nde.  It 
iticiims  take 
y  snopze  alf 
ain  the  state 
ith  as  niuclt 


jirerision  hy  inrpiirin;:;  of  her  (liritinn;nislied  s(alea- 
nien  as  you  ran  the  ratn  of  exehaii'.^o  at  a  c-iveti 
point  hy  inipiiriii'.!:  at  the  coiinterof  a  hank.  How 
this  nia'v  he  F  have  not  heeu  ihere  to  iii(|iiire.  I'm 
suri-  I  am,  that  the  undyinii;  fires  of  patriotism  are 
yet  snioulderiu'j:  in  llu-  land  of  Marion,  of  I'inek- 
riey,  and  of  Sumter,  anr!  that  they  need  hut  a  pro- 
per oerasiou  to  '::ive  them  vent.  Shoulil  war  come, 
(whicli  I  cannot  for  a  Tnotnent  h(-lieve,)  those  who 
now  diU'erwilh  us  as  to  the  |iolicy  of  this  measure, 
will,  I  douht  not,  he  amon2;st  the  first  to  kindle  the 
watch-fires  I'poil  tlie  altar  of  liherly.  I,etus  there- 
fore, on  this  occasion,  not  lie  intolerant  lovv'ards 
each  other;  hut  while  reposini:  a  freiierousi  confi- 
dence, "ultivatf!  th(!  kindlier  smd  lietli'r  t'eelinL-;"  of 
our  nature. 

Our  title  to  thi.s  territory  is  the  pivot  upon  which 
the  whole  question  must  turn.  It  constitutes  the 
very  essence,  soul,  and  lil'e  of  the  controversy. 
Soiiie  persons  will  deem  it  superemcration,  at  this 
stai^e  of  the  dist'ussion,  to  pans'>  (Vu'  a  moment  to 
[M-ove  our  title,  for  the  reason  that  lioth  of  tlicL'reat 
political  paulies  of  this  cunnlry  cducede  it  to  he 
'.•■'lod  and  valid.  That  would  do.  il'  this  country 
alone  were  concerned  in  the  result.  Ihit  I  a[>pre- 
hend,  that  if  the  whii;  and  tory  parties  in  Kntrland 
should  concede  that  we  had  no  ju«t  claim  to  Ore- 
gon, we  would  not  hy  any  means  reirard  that  as 
conclusive  proof  of  the  fact. 

if  it  can  he  estahlished  tiiat  we  h:\ve  a  fjoorl  and 
valid  title  to  all  or  any  ]>orlion  of  r)i-e;,'on,  it  ."settles 
the  rjuestion  as  to  our  (Inty,  and  as  to  our  course, 
to  tin;  extent  of  the  territory  to  whii'h  we  are  thus 
entitled,  h'or  if  any  of  it  is  ours,  we  must  hold  it, 
or  else  yield  it  from  fear  of  Great  I'ritain.  We 
cannot  do  the  l.ilt(T;  for  the  act — craven  and  dis- 
hoMora.hle  in  its(lf — would  dissolve  the  charm  and 
hrcak  tlie  sprin;^  of  our  success  as  a  nati(m. 

.Much  has  l:(.'(:n  well  and  justly  said  of  the  rafia- 
city,  injustice,  and  i^raspin;;  amhition  of  (Jreat 
Mritain.  Thou'ih  she  may  he  rcrnrded  hy  other 
nations  as  the  "  heast  with  seven  heads  and  ten 
horns,"  and  thouLrh  her  iniquities  toward  them  and 
u*  m.ay,  and  indeed  have,  ju'cumula'cd  with  each 
suc'-eedini;-  year:  yet  it  all  avails  nothiir;-  in  this 
controversy,  if  the  territory  hel<nv_''s  to  her.  and  not 
to  us.  'I'herefore,  I  proceed  to  exainine  the  difl'er- 
ent  elements  of  our  title. 

V>y  the  Fl.>rida  treaty  of  the  2'M  of  Fchrnary, 
1^1'),  W'c  ohtained  all  the  rights  which  Spain  then 
had  to  that  country  north  of  4"J'^,  whether  a<'cruinfr 
from  discovery,  exploratior  or  o'vupation;  and 
tliey  are  as  f  illows;  Froui  the  time  oftlie  discovery 
by  ('cduinhus,  in  14'h'2,  the  Spanish  (.Tovernnient 
never  rested  till  th"v  had  eyplore.l  the  whole  }'a- 
eific  coast,  [n  l.V^O,  Fernando  .MaL'cllan,  in  the 
servirc  of  Spain,  discovered  tuid  sailed  throu,'j:h 
the  hi:.rhly  important  and  far-fame;l  Straits  of  Ma- 
gellan, which  received  and  yet  henr  his  name. 
In  \i'yl>^,  the  eele!n-atc  I  C^irtes",  who  wTts  appointed 
hy  Charles  V.  as  cnptain-i^eneral  of  New  Strain, 
(now  .Mi^vico,)  fitted  out  a  vessel  under  the  com- 
mand of  Mddonado,  one  of  his  officers,  who  was 
ahsetit  for  SIX  months,  cruisiiiirin  the  Pacific.  In 
l,').'i'J,  he  despatched  two  vessels,  one  under  the 
comoiand  of  Mendo/.a,  and  the  other  commanded 
hy  Ma7.ueln,  who  sailed  as  far  as  the  S7th  de2;ree 
of  north  latitude;  and  the  country  thus  visited  was 


claimed  hy  Tories  for  Spain,  and  afterwards  re 
eeived  the  name  of  California. 

'I'lie  northernmost  point  occupied  in  |. ■),'<((  on  the 
Pacific  hy  any  civili/ed  nation,  was  "('uliacan, 
which  was  founded  hy  Nuiio  de  (iuztnnn,  a  Span- 
iard, at  the  entrance  of'  tlie  ( Jnlf  of  ( 'ahl'ornia. "' 

'I'he  last  expedition  made  hy  order  of  <'orle.s 
was  coininandcfl  hy  Francisco  de  I'lloa.  who  took 
his  departure  on  the  Sih  of  .July ,  j.'i.'flt,  from  Aca- 
piilco.  He  discovered  iui  i.-<laiid  near  the  coast 
under  the  tJHih  parallel  of  latitude,  whifdi  waa 
named  (he  Isle  of  Cedars.  In  LVIH  Martoloine 
Ferelo,  a  Soaniard,  under  the  (Uilhoriiy  of  the 
Vii'croy  of  Mexico,  on  the  'Jfiih  of  Felnuary  o. 
that  year,  discovered  the  Ca)ieof  I'rrils  or  Stormy 
I'ape,  under  the  4lst  paia!lr|,  which  is  supposed 
to  he  the  place  now  called  Mendocino;  and  on  tlio 
1st  of  iViarch  he  had  rciudied  as  far  north  as  tin? 
44th  fiarallel  of  latitude — certainly  as  far  as  the  4;iil. 

'I'lie  .Straits  of  Fiica,  which  enter  the  laml  at  4h*-' 
34',  and  return  to  tlu'  oc(>an  at  .'■)l'-^,  were  disco\ei- 
ed  in  JaO'J  hy  .Tuan  de  l''uca,  under  Spanish  au- 
thority, wlio.-e  name  tin  y  now  hear;  he  sailed  ir» 
and  remained  there  more  than  twenty  days,  tradiin;^ 
with  the  natives.  In  KidH  Cape  l!lan<'o.  in  lati- 
tude 4.'<",  and  the  river  Finpqna,  in  latitude  44^^,  were 
discover<(l  hy  Fiisiirn  Martin  do  Aquilar,  who  was 
actiinj  under  the  S|iauisli  authority. 

.An  expedition  was  fitted  out  in  l'(74.  hy  order 
of  the  Spanish  ( Jovernment,  under  the  command 
of  iMisiirn  Juan  Perez,  accom|ianied  hy  Fstavan 
Martinez  as  his  pilot,  wi'.ii  directions  to  sail  as  far 
north  as  CAP,  and  to  survey  the  coa.st  from  thenco 
southward  to  Monterey,  and  for  them  to  take  pos- 
session in  the  name  of  the  KiuL"'  of  Spain. 

On  the  IHtli  of  .Fuly,  1771,  Perez,  reached  as  far 
north  as  ihe  .')4tli  parallel  of  latitude,  and  discover- 
ed 1  Hid  to  the  east,  to  which  he  gave  the  name  of 
ca|ie  Santa  Mari^arila. 

He  made  land  on  the  Oih  oC  Amnist  in  the  same 
year,  under  the  parallel  of  49°  '.W ,  anchored  in  a 
deep  hay,  and  traded  freely  with  the  Indians,  and 
called  the  place  Port  San  Lorenzo;  and  it  is  un- 
diHihtedly  the  same  whi(di  four  years  afterwanla 
received  froni  Captain  f'o(d<  the  iijipellntum  of 
l\itu' (icorire's  sound,  hut  now  known  as  iVootka 
sound — the  name  L'ivcn  it  hy  the  natives. 

On  the  l.'ith  of  Auq-nst.  177"),  Heceta  discovered 
the  hay  at  the  mouth  of  Coliimhia  river,  in  lati- 
tude 46'-'  17',  hut  was  prevented  hy  the  force  of  the 
current  from  enterin;r  the  month  of  the  river. 

I'odeca  and  Maiirell  prnceeded  in  Anixust,  177.5, 
as  f,u'  north  as  the  ."iStli  parallel  of  latitude,  and 
took  possession  of  the  country  in  the  name  oftlie 
Spanish  Fvins-.  St.  Salvador  Dieiro,  in  the  fall  of 
17!)0,  explored  the  Riissian  jiossessions.  These, 
tot^etlicr  with  many  other  v<iyajres  smd  explora- 
tions, here  omitted  for  want  of  space,  prove  most 
clearly  that,  so  far  as  discovery  is  concerned, 
Spain  is  £T«'atly  in  advance  of  all  other  nations; 
and  that  her  naviirators  had  visited  the  whole 
coast  of  the  Pa'-ific  as  I'ar  north  as  the  (ilst  parallel 
of  latitude,  lonp;  prior  to  those  of  any  other  nation. 

The  first  navirator  from  whose  discoveries  Great 
I'ritain  could  derive  any  title  on  the  northwest 
coast  of  America  is<'4iptain  Cook,  v/ho,  in  March, 
1778,  visited  Cape  Flattery,  in  the  48th  parallel  of 
latitude;  but  he  did  not  discover  the  mouth  of  the 


<mm 


6 


ColuniMii  or  the  Straits  of  Fur.a.  In  Mnrli,  177H, 
lie  arnliorcd  in  Nootku  Honixl,  and  tave  it  tlir 
name  "f  Kin;^  Cicor^'c'H  Moniul;  but  IMootKa  wan 
tlw:  naiHo  j,'iv(n  U>  it  liy  llic  nalivii.s,  and  it  liaH  ever 
Mince  liDi'MC  lliat  nana',  llv  di.scovci'i  >]  many  ulrn- 
f.;is  of  iron  and  lirass,  and  al.so  two  silvi'r  kiidohh, 
of  .Spanisli  nianiilactun;,  in  tlic  posscs^sion  of  tlic 
natives — sliDwin;;  ( liarly  tliat  ilicy  liad  befijre  Lt(;n 
visiti'd  l)y  the  Siianianla. 

(Jajitain  (Utuk,  c.oiitinnini;  lii.s  voya;;;f!  norlli, 
t^nw  iVioniil  San  .iac.intu,  winch  iiad  [h\a\  named 
four  yearH  liefoie  l)y  lJud('i;a;  saw  iMount  St.  Eii- 
fts,  anil,  pu.siiinf:;  hi.s  V(>ya;,'c  iiortli,  pa.s.scd  into 
the  Arctic  occum.  lie  afterwards  vi.sited  Owyliee, 
wlu're,  on  tiie  Kjlh  of  i'tbruary,  he  fell  a  victim 
to  llie  natives. 

It  is  elaimed  hy  thr;  I'ritish  minister,  Mr.  Pak- 
cnham,  that  ( 'ajiiain  Uirln  ley,  a  IJriliah  suliject,  iti 
ft  vessel  nndt.'r  Austrian  co.ois,  discovered  the 
Straits  of  l''uca  in  17M7,  when  it  will  he  remem- 
bered that  Ji'an  de  l''ui'a  made  the  same  discov(;ry 
in  15'.(:;i — liems^  I"-'  years  [irevious;  and  that  Cap- 
tain Dinii'ai,  in  the  year  17fi7,  (~iilen:d  the  straits 
iind  trad«:i  with  the  naiivts  at  the  vUla^o  of  ('las- 
net;  luid  also  that  John  INleares  visited  IS'(a)tka 
unund  in  17H.H,  four  y(  ars  al'ier  it  iiad  been  visit- 
ed and  taken  possession  of  by  I'crez.  John 
Meares  wa;i  a  beiUenaiit  in  the  British  navy  (jn 
ludf  pay.  The  l^'elicc,  of  which  he  was  su)iei- 
rarf^o.and  the  Iphii^enia,  of  which  William  Dou;;- 
las.s  was  snpcrcarp),  were  litled  out  at  the  l'oi-tu- 
guese  port  of  Macao.  Uotli  were  I'ortuiruese  ves- 
sels, ami  ()stensil)ly  commanded  by  Portuf^iiese 
captains,  sailed  under  the  I'ortufjucse  flap;,  and  had 
passpcn-is  and  other  papii's  showing;  that  the  ves- 
sels were  the  property  of  Juan  Cuvallo,  a  Poitu- 
guese  merchant  of  JMai'ao. 

If  there  had  been  any  virtue  in  the  di.scovery  of 
Berkeley,  it  would  have  belouijed  to  Austria,  in 
whose  service  he  was;  or  if  there  liad  been  any 
merit  in  the  discoveries  of  Mean's,  they  would 
have  eimrcd  to  the  beiiefil  of  l'ortuj,Ml.  If  Meares 
had  attempted  to  navii;atc  the  North  Pacific  ocean 
«a  a  IJrilish  oliicer,  his  vessel  would  have  been 
subject  to  seizure,  and  his  otficers  and  crew  to  pun- 
isiiment,  as  they  had  no  license  from  the  South 
fciia  or  East  India  companies.  Whether  lie  be  re- 
garded,  therefore,  as  a  British  subject,  sailiiif^  un- 
der false  colors,  or  as  in  the  employment  of  (*a- 
vallo,the  Portu:;iiese  merchant,  ho  could  not  claim 
any  protection  from  the  British  Government,  or 
confer  upon  her  any  rights  resulting  from  liis  dis- 
coveries, 

Diirimr  ail  this  period  of  time,  it  will  be  seen  by 
refereiu^e  to  history  that  Great  Britain  had  made 
no  settlement  whatever  on  the  northwest  coast 
of  America;  that  she  discovered  no  portion  of 
the  coast  which  ha  1  not  been  previously  discov- 
ered by  .Si)ain;  and  that  Spain  held  the  undisputed 
title  to  it  up  to  171)0,  when  John  Meares  called  on 
the  British  Government  to  aid  him.  Had  Great 
Britain  possessed  the  same  title  that  Spain  did,  can 
tliere  be  a  doubt  that  she  would  have  claimed  and 
held  the  whole  i'acific  coast  from  Panama  to  Beh- 
rinji;'s  straits? 

It  will  be  remembered,  that  when  Great  Britain 
planted  her  colonics  on  the  Atlantic,  she  claimed, 
oa  the  ground  of  continuity  and  contiguity  of  ter- 


I  riiory,  liial  her  ii;{lit  of  soil  cMrnded  from  the  At- 
lantic to  the  I'acitic.  ocum.  The  I-'reiicli  Ciovern- 
nieiit  discovered  and  explored  the  Mihsissijijii  and 
other  iiibiitary  sin  anis,  anti  made  siMtli  iiients  aloiifr 
their  valleys.  A  dispute  arose  betweiii  I'!iif;land 
and  France  in  rej,'ard  to  their  lerritcn'ial  ri^ht.>*,and 
they  went  to  war. 

The  treaty  of  Parix,  concluded  on  the  lOih  of 
I''ebriiaiy,  i7(IU,  settled  the  bouiidary  betv.cen 
tho.se  t\Mi  iiaiioiis;  and  so  much  of  the  7th  ejection 
as  relates  th(;relo  is  in  these  words: 

"  In  onhr  to  le-i  sialdish  peace  on  solid  aiui  dnra- 
'  ble  foundations, and  to  remove  l'or(;ver  all  .-u'.jeela 
'  of  dispute  with  regard  to  the  limits  of  the  Brui.sh 
'  and  h'tench  lerrit(Mi(N  on  the  contiia  lit  of  Anicri- 
'  ea,  it  is  ai;i'  i  d  that  foi'  the  future  the  coi/fuies  Le- 
'  tween  the  dominions  of  his  llritaiinic  Maj(  sly  and 
'  those  of  his  mn.st  (,'hiisliaii  Maj(siy,  in  that  part 
'  of  the  world,  shall  be  fixed  irrevocably  by  a  line 
'  drawn  alonj;  the  middle  of  the  riv(  r  Missi.sippi, 
'  from  its  source  to  the  rive  r  llarville,  and  thence, 
'  by  a  line  draw  n  aionj;  the  middle  of  this  river,  and 
'  the  lakes  Maurepas  and  Poiitchai train,  to  the 
*  sea. " 

By  this  ireaiy  (ireat  Brilain  obtained  tin.'  Cana- 
das,  I'loi ida,  and  a  |i(ntioii  oI'Louisiaiia;  she  parted 
with  all  her  claims  west  of  the  Mis.-issij)|ii.  received 
the  full  la  iielit  (if  ihe  doctrine  of  ciMitiiaiiiy,  and  is 
therefore  estop|ied  now  from  d(  nyin^  the  princiiile. 

L'v  the  treaty  of  Louisiana,  dated  on  the  .'{(Jin  of 
April,  ISuy,  we  succt  (;de.d  to  all  the  ri;;hts  which 
l''rance  acipiiK  d  under  the  tnatyof  17(j.'!,and  have 
the  full  beiiefu  of  the  doctrine  of  coniinuiiy,  as 
l!n;;lai!d  once  had  to  any  country  lyin^  we.>t  ol'the 
Mississijipi,  to  w  lii<'li  she  had  claims. 

IS'ow  1  w  ill  examine  very  brielly  the  title  which 
we  have  to  that  territory  in  our  own  projier  ri;;ht, 
<;rowini;oul  of  discoveries  and  settlements  by  this 
Goveri.na.'nt  and  its  citizens. 

In  June,  17!nl),  Captain  Robert  Gray,  of  Boston, 
explored  the  easiein  coast  of  Clueen  Charlotte's 
island.  In  the  sunnner  of  171)1,  he  visited  the  coast 
of  the  north  Pacific,  between  .')4"  and  Gt)°  of  iiortli 
latitude.  Ill  May,  17'J~,  he  discovered  Bnlfnieh's 
harbor;  and  on  the  11th  of  that  month  lie  enteicd 
the  mouth  of  llic  Columbia  river,  which  Heceta 
could  not  do  when  he  made  the  ;ittempt  in  1775; 
;iiid  both  Meares  and  Vancouver,  after  examina- 
tion, denied  the  existence  of  sucli  a  river.  The 
tributaries  of  tliis  river  drain  the  territory  of  Ore- 
^'on  as  far  north  a.s  the  ,'J3d  parallel  of  latitude. 
In  1804-5,  an  exjjedition  was  made  under  our  CJov- 
ernment  by  Lewis  and  Clarke,  who  visited  and 
minutely  exjilored  that  country.  In  ISll,  settle- 
ments were  miuh;  by  the  American  Company  at 
Astoria,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia  river,  at 
Okcntj;aii,  six  hundred  mili:s  above,  anil  at  Spo- 
kan,some  lifty  miles  further  up.  Tlu'y  were  cap- 
tured by  Great  Britain  during  the  wtn'of  lbl2,  and 
were  restored  under  the  treaty  of  Ghent,  the  fiih 
day  of  October,  IttlS.  It  cannot  be  successfully 
contended  that  the  surrender  did  not  n'store  to  ua 
all  the  country  of  which  we  were  divested  by  the 
capture,  for  the  latter  was  comniensurnte  witli  tiie 
former  act.  We,  therelore,  iuc  entitled  to  the  Co- 
lumbia river  and  the  country  drained  by  it,  because 
we  were  the  fust  to  discover,  explore,  and  settle  it. 

Uniting  as  we  do  the  title  of  Spain,  wlio,  Jjy  dia- 


frcMu  llic  Al- 
■Ilill  CJostiii- 
t-sihsijijii  iiiid 

(  lIKIll.S  llloilf^ 

II  II  l'!ii;;liiiid 
ill  ri-liih,  and 

Ilic  10:li  of 
aiy  l,«av.(:(li 
t  Till  ist'Ctidll 

lid  mid  (lura- 

r  III!  Mi'.jt'cis 

)!'  ili(!  Ilnii.sli 

III  (if  Aimni- 
I'diifuu's  !,(■- 

Miijrsiy  luid 
,  ill  tliid  |iai't 
My  liy  ii  liiiu 
Mi^^.sl.  siji|pi, 
iiiid  tli(  lilt', 
li.s  ii\<  r,  mill 
haiii,    to   llic 

d  llu.'  CiJiia- 
la;  slie  |iarled 
iji|ii.nji't;iV(;(l 
i,iii(y,  iii.d  i.s 
till'  priiicijilc. 
il  till'  .'iOili  of 
ii;;lit.s  uliiili 
(J!),  and  liave 
iiitimiiiy,  us 
•j;  \v(.>t  of  the 

10  liilc  uliich 
|irnj„  1-  ri-ht, 
nciiLs  by  tliiti 

y,of  Bostoi), 

11  riiarlolic's 
iii'd  tlif  coast 

WP  of  uoitli 
I'd  nuifiidi't* 
li  lie  ('iiliacd 
.liii'li  lleccta 
'iiijit  in  ['i~i[}; 
\cv  (;\uiuiim- 

river.  The 
•itory  of  Orc- 

of  latitude, 
dcr  our  Ciov- 
)  visiiL'd  and 

rSJl,  srltlu- 
CoiHjiaiiy  ul 
iibia  rivtr,  ul 
,  and  at  S})o- 
cy  were  cap- 
of  lb  12, and 
lent,  llif  fiih 

.successfully 
restore;  to  us 
cstcd  by  iho 
rate  with  the 
A  to  the  Co- 
ly  it,  because 
and  settle  it. 
who,  by  dis- 


rovrr\'nn(lr\-plnrnfinn,V(\s>)ct\vrpn  two  nnti  ihrro 
rrntiirif'M  in  ikIviuhp  of  any  other  nation  on  the 
niM'lhwi  st  r'oii!-t  of  America,  ihe  title  of  France,  tn- 
•jitliir  \v  itli  llic  title  iiciinircd  in  onr  own  riirht  liy 
discovery,  exploration,  anil  settlement,  which  iM 
eertuinlv  tr"<'<l  i»s  ai^tiin^^l  ihe  cliiim  of  («rci\t  IJrit- 
nin,  weliave  a  comiilcle  and  |i('rfect  title  to  the  soil 
nnii  soverri'j;nty  of  tlie  country  between  4^  and 
fil"  .1(1'  iiorili  latitude. 

'I'lie  tnlenteii  member  from  the  Tlostnn  di.striet 
[Mr.  VVisriiiKii' j  ficilioiisly  alhidi'd  to  Adam's 
will  ami  the  Mormon  testament  in  connexion  with 
the  Ore'jfon  (im^s-tion.  Am  the  Hritish  miiiistci-n 
have  iiithcrlo  iieen  u'liible  to  locate  this  va;i;raiit 
elaim  of  title — some  ol  them  rr  lyiiic^  solely  on  llie 
N('(iik:i  Soimd  trc'ity,  and  other.'=!  mainly  on  di."- 
eovery — 1  must  recinesl  my  friend,  at  his  enrlirst 
l<  isnre,  to  consult,  with  his  nsu:il  inilustry  and  re- 
.siari'li.  111"  pfi^jes  of  th'>  ?,1ormon  testament  and 
of  Adam's  will,  a-id  il'  the  Hritish  title  to  ()re;;;on 
is  not  rec(ird((l  in  one  of  those  time-honored  in- 
struments, It  may  be  fairly  presumed  that  it  does 
not  exist  anywhere. 

I  will  next  proceed  to  examine  the  Nnotka 
treaty,  si<;nc(l  at  the  Escurial,  October  2H,  1700, 
between  (ireat  nriliiin  and  Spain.  In  order  to  a 
ftill  understandin,':;  of  the  spirit  and  meaniii'.:;  of 
that  convention,  and  tr)  the  position  assumed  by 
(ireat  flritain  at  the  lime,  it  is  important  that  we 
examine  the  circumstances  which  f^ave  rise  to  it. 
The  celcbnited  .Tolin  Mearers,  who,  as  stated  here- 
tofore, was  merely  snpercari^o  of  a  Portuguese 
vessel,  sailinri;  under  the  Portuguese  fla^r,  was  the 
prime  mover,  the  .Mjiha  and  Ome^a  of  the  cause 
of  (lilllculty  between  Spain  and  Great  I'ritain,  of 
which  this  treaty  was  the  offsprini^. 

Lieuteiiaiil  Atetu'cs,  with  the  two  Portuc^uese 
vessels,  visiieil  Nootka  sound,  where  they  vvi  re 
captured  in  17^0,  by  Marline'/.,  on  behalf  of  the 
Spanish  Government. 

Spain  havinir  discovered  and  established  a  fort 
at  Nootlca  sound,  re'i-irf'ed  Meares  as  an  a^rirres- 
sor,  and  treated  him  jus  such.  Meares,  it  w  ill  be 
observed,  was  a  mere  adventurer,  trading  with  tlie 
natives,  not  cfmnected  in  any  way  with  the  Gov- 
ernnienl  of  Portugal,  under  whose  flag  he  sailed, 
or  with  (irc'.t  I'rilain,  imder  whose  flag  he  did  not 
sail.  Portugal  toolc  no  notice  of  the  coniplaiiils  of 
Meares;  not  so  with  (xreat  llritaiiiifiir  shr,  ))roba- 
b!y  at  tliat  time  desirini;- a  controversy  with  Spain, 
made  it  the  occasion  ol"  a  most  rancorous  quarrel 
with  that  Cjovcrnment.  Meares  presented  a  me- 
raorial,  setting  forth  his  grievances,  containing- 
mnny  incon.?i.'..tcnces  and  jmlpable  falsehoods. 

1  will  here  nuotc  a  few  passages,  to  show  tlio 
fertilt!  imagination  of  the  notorious  .Tohii  Meares, 
who  possessed  the  power  to  amplify  facts  in  a 
mc't  eminent  degree.  At  page  111  of  lii.-i  voyage, 
on  the  r>.')ih  May,  1788,  he  says : 

"  Ma(|uil!a  had  not  only  most  readily  eon'ented 
'  to  grant  us  a  spot  of  ground  in  his  territory, 
'  whereon  a  hou.se  might  be  built  for  the  accom- 
'  modation  of  the  people  we  intendi'd  to  leave 
'  there,  but  had  promised  us  also  his  assistance  it; 
'  forwarding  our  works,  and  his  jirotcetion  of  the 
'  party  who  were  destined  to  remain  at  Nootka 
'  during  our  absence.  In  return  for  this  kindness, 
*  the  chief  was  presented  with  a  pair  of  pistols. 


«  wliieh  he  had  regarded  with  nn  ryo  of  Bolieitudo 

*  ever  since  <iur  arrival." — Vayds^e. 

On  Ihe  third  page  of  his  meinorial  to  the  Brilish 
Parliament,  Means  says: 

*' Mr.C(diiei  was  din  cted  to  fix  his  residrnec  at 
'  NootkiV  sound,  mid   with   ihni   view,  to  en'ct  a 

•  substantial  house  on  the  spot  which  your  inenio- 
'  rialist  liad  pun'hased  in  the  preceding  year;  as 
'  will  appear  uy  a  copy  of  his  instructions  hereto 
'  animxcd." 

We  next  turn  to  the  insti  actions  given  by  Mearrn 
to  Colnet,  dated  Macao,  17lh  Amil,  IT'^'.t,  and  find, 
upon  their  peru.sal,  that  no  wicli  instructions  \vero 
given  as  slated  by  Meares  in  his  memorial  to 
Parlianu  lit.  Passing  on  to  the  first  article  of  the, 
Nootka  treaty,  ue  find  that  on  tlu'  L'Mh  Oetober, 
IV.K),  the  spot  of  gmuiul  granted  by  the  Indian 
chief  to  M(an:s  had  alnadv  "  swollen  into  build- 
ings and  tracts  of  laud."'  The  account  i-f  Meares, 
of'the  nipid  transition  of  the  spot  of  gn)uiiil  grant- 
ed him  by  the  Indian  chi',  f  into  buildings  and 
gn.unds,  is  only  paiallehd  by  the  miraeulouM 
story  of  his  illustrious  predecessor,  Sir  John  Fal- 
stall,  when  giving  u  narrative  of  the  attack  made 
on  him  by  the  men  in  buckram.  And  justice  can 
alone  be  done  to  the  iniiiiilable  Falstall'"  by  giving 
the  Ktory  in  his  own  words: 

'^  J'oi)is.  'I'lay  (ioil,  you  liavc  ii»t  iimrdcrcil  nonio  of 
llieia. 

F<il.  \av.  tliaf..)  pnst  pniyiiic  for;  for  I  have  peppered 
two  iil'lliem;  two.  I  mil  Mirc.  I  liiive  piiiil;  two  roiJiics  In 
liiieUraiii  sells.  I  till  lliee  what,  ll:il:  ill  tell  tliee  a  lie, 
spit  III  my  liice,  I'lill  nie  lioi-c  'I'liuii  Kiiha c  t  my  i.ld  ward  : 
here  I  hiy.iiiiil  thus  I  hcire  niy  pelut.  I'our  ret;iies  in  huek 
nun  let  drive  at  me 

h.  lien.  What,  fiuir.'  than  saidst  hut  two,  even  now. 

Val.  Fmir,  lial;  I  teld  line  lour. 

I'oina.  .\\,  iiy,  he  sunl  lour. 

/■■((/.  TheVr  iiiiir  came  nil  a  front,  and  inniidy  llirus't  at 
ine.    I  made  me  iinni'Tc  aih).  hut  look  all  their  stven  poinUf 
\  III  inv  tart.'!'!  thus. 
j      J\' lien,  .^(ven.'    Why,  there  were  bat  lour,  even  now. 

Fill.  In  liui'Uraui. 
',      l'.)in..  Av,  liiar  in  ImeUrain  suits. 
I      h'iil.  Sevi  II.  Iiv  these  hilts,  or  I  am  a  villain  else. 
I      P.  lien.    I'rithec,  let  liini   alone;   we   bIiuII   liuve   more 

lilioll. 

]■'!•!.  Host  thou  hear  me,  Hal.' 

/'.  Ihn.  .\\,  iinil  mark  thee  too,  Jiiel;. 

h'ul.  Do  so,  for  it  Is  \\(irih  the  h.^teniiif;  t".  Tlicsc  nino 
inlmi'kraia,  that  I  told  thee  of 

i'.  lleti.  So.  uvo  more  alriiiily. 

J-ul.   'I'lieir  I'OinIs  heiiiij  lirokeli 

I'oiiix.  Iiown  fell  their  hose. 

Fi:l.  Deciin  toL'lve  me  droiiiid.  Hut  I  followeil  me  close; 
came  in  lljot  and  haiiil ;  and,  with  a  thought,  seven  of  the 
<  leveii  I  paid. 

P.  Urn.  e)  iiKinstrous!  r.leven  InuUrain  men  grown  out 
of  two!" 

Thus  it  will  be  .seen  thtit  the  story  of  Meares  i.q 
a  type,  but  too  faithfully  drawn,  of  the  fabrications 
I  of  Sir  .Tolm  Falstafi',  and  Justly  entitles  liini  to  tho 
'  full    name   of  Sir  John    FalslafT  Meares.     And, 
j  strange  to  tell,  it  was  the  marvellous  story  of  thi.s 
'  man   Meares  th.'it  caused  the  British  ministry  to 
I  lew  iui  army,  aii:l  threat!  n  aimihihition  to  Sjiain; 
I  and  thereupon  the  King  of  England,  in  his  iriessagc 
to  ParHanient  toui'hing  the  seizure  of  these  ves- 
sels at  Noi,.-.  ,  s,ays:  "That  two  vessels  belong- 
i  '  ing  to  his  subjects,  and  naviirated  under  the  Brit- 
!  '  i:di  flag,  and  two  olhers  of  which  the  description 
I  '  is  not  sufncientlv  ascertained,  had  been  captured 
'  at  Nootka  sound  by  an  oflicer  commanding  two 
I '  S[)ani3h  ship?  of  war;  the  cargo  of  the  two  Brit- 


1 


8 


'  ImIi  vrsscli  liad  \irvn  H('i7.n\,  miil  llirir  en  ws  hail 

•  l)i"'n  '<i'nt  iH  lu'iMiiiicr.s  to  ii  Sji.niixli  |'iirt. " 

"  I'iif,  tin  !i  ill  iIk'  ini'Ii'iil'liiM  jiowcr,  liMil  ihli(  r- 

•  ilnl  lilH  f.illlir's  liiitn  il  fur,  iuhI  colilrilllil  ol',  llii: 
'  S|);iiiisli  11  ilioii,"  and  lu'  scizcil  llic  (>]i]iiirtiiiiity 
to  iii.iki'  S|iiiii  yield  to  Ills  dici;itinii  or  tiviTlliiow 
lirr  ciiiipirc;  liciii'r  Iw  (Ii'iiiiiiid<il  the  sunciidi'r  ol" 
liir  I'li'.ir  and  tiiidoiilitril  ri'^lils,  and  aisciiililrd  a 
mii^lity  anii.iiin'iii  In  awi;  In  r  into  siiIiiiii-.>:ioii;  Inn 
till-  iiiov('iu(iit:i  of  (lie  I''r(  Mill  (i.u(  iiiiiK  111  ill  ordi  r- 
iiii;  I'lriy-l'iM'  sail  of  ilic  line,  and  a  pnniui-iionalr 
niiinlirr  ol*  lVi,:,'atr.i,  tlic  troaiy  of  pcarc  i-onclndt  d 
lii:t\v'<'('n  Sv. ('(Icii  and  Russia  Aic^nst  .'<,  17!II),no  as 
to  Icavi'  lIic  laltiTiii  a  iiowcrful  condilioii  to  prosc- 
ciiic  licr  di';:i.riiH  iijion  Turki'v,  lo'^cihi  r  witli  tlir 
(lintK'ial  rniidilioii  o|'  (irrat  fjiii.iiii,  iiidii'i'd  Mr. 
I'ilt  to  rliaii'^i"  liis  \i('\vs,  and  to  >«,](,  ilinniji  ilic 
inicrvcniion  of  ilic  National  A>:Jinilily  of  l^'rancc, 
coMiliictrd  ill  II  spent  and  I'onfidciiiia!  luaiiin'r,  ii 
treaty  of  pcai-i!  and  alii.imi:  wiili  Spain;  and  tlie 
Nooika  iMiivcniion  wmm  (lie  result  of  that  neijoiia- 
tioii.  Tliis,  it  iiinst  lu;  lionic  in  mind,  was  ihe 
aenoiid  yrar  of  llie  l'\'cn.'li  ]'evoliiti(ui,  mid  diirin;i; 
th(!  spread  of  rejudire'aii  priiii'iples.  These  fans 
may  fiiniisli  sonii'  elur  to  the  reason  wliy  the 
Nooilci  ti-ialy  is  one  for  the  lienefit  of  trader.-, 
liiintcrs,  and  trappers  merely,  and  d.ies  not  in  any 
way  whatever  aj!'ni  or  wealcni  the  title  of  Spain  to 
the  Hoil,  The  hut  of  the  fislieriiian  and  tlu^  eahiii 
iif  the  hunter  and  trapper  alone  were  looked  to  and 
provided  for.  tireat  nritaiii  .-ofiem  d  down  in  her 
demands  and  exactions,  lest,  pereliaiiee,  Russia, 
Sweden,  and  (■''riuice  iniy;!it  make  eomnioK  cause 
will)  Spain  a:,'aiiist  her,  and  f.r  fear  that  the  revo- 
lutionary sjiirit  of  Frane(!  uii;;ht  seize  the  siibj''cts 
nf  (Jreat  llritaiii.  Hut  for  this  Spain  would  lia\e 
had  to  truc'lde  to  ihc  blusierini^  of  Great  llriiain, 
and  to  have  given  licr  part,  or  i)crhai).s  all,  of  that 
territory. 

In  this  position  I  am  fortified  l>y  the  eolehrali'd 
Preii'-li  lii.'(oi-ian,  Seniir,  whose  work'  hears  dale  in 
1801.  In  speakiie^  iif  iliis  transaction,  he  says  that 
Enjjhind,  "  under  the  flimsy  pretiincc  of  redaimiii;; 
'  Roiuc  e.onlrahand  sliij)s  taken  hy  the  .Spaiiiard.s  on 
'  the  we.-^t  coast  of  North  America,  threatened  and 
'  dccl.ircd  wari\.;ainst  Spain."  ('id  vol.,  paj^u  1(!.T, 
Sni^nr'.s  History.)  Further  on,  at  pai^e  171,  same 
volume,  ho  says  that  "  I'rance,  after  a  short  hesi- 
'  tulion,  notwiihstaniling  the  disorder  of  her  (inan- 
'  ces,  detennined  lo  supjiort  Spain  against  he,  Imi:^- 
«  liali."       #         *         *         *         *   ''     *         »       "« 

"  And  the  cahiiict  of  London,  intimidatrd  hy  this 
'  cnnrc;olic  and  unexpected  resolution,  postponed  its 
'  aml)itious  projects;  contented  it.self  with  the  resii- 
'  tution  of  tlio  iMijlish  ve.ssel.-j  tliat  had  Leen  cap- 
'  turrd,  and  agreed  with  the  court  of  ^Madrid  mutu- 

*  ally  to  disarm." 

Tlie  r)tli  article  of  the  Nootka  treaty,  which  is 
the  only  important  one  bearing  on  this  point,  is  in 
the  words  following: 

"Art.  5.  As  well  in  tlie  planes  which  are  to  he 
'  restored  to  tlir;  British  subjecl.s  by  virtuo  of  the 
'  first  article,  a.-'  in  all  other  parts  of  the  nortliwest- 

*  crn  coasts  of  North  America  or  of  the  islands  ad  • 
'jaccnt,  situate  to  the  north  of  the  parts  of  the  said 
•coast   already  occu])icd   by  SiKiin,  wherever  the 

*  sul)jccts  of  either  of  the  two  j)ower.s  shall  liavo 
'  made  settlements  since  the  moiith  of  April,  1789, 


'  or  shall  herrafter  makrnny,  the  Rubjerts  of  the 

•  oilier  shall  have  iVeu  access,  and  shill  carry  on 
'  thi'ir  trade  without  any  dislurbancu  or  iiudcila- 
'  lion." 

I  will  now  giv(!  a  few  instaiu  e.i  of  tlic  coimlru'".- 
tion  put  upon  this  treaty  by  i5ritish  rtaleancn,  se- 
lictin:;  as  Well  those  who  .Mij>poiiid  ihi'  ministry, 
as  ihoNC  who  opposed  it.  Tlie  |)ulu  of  Mniarose, 
who  moved  an  address  of  lllallk^.  lo  ihe  king  for 
having  iiiaih;  the  treaty,  used  i\i\h  language; 

"We  are  not  mily  rL.-tored  it)  Nootka,  but,  by 
'an  expH'ss  sli|)ulation,  wu  may  participate  in  a 
I  '  more  northern  f';clllLiiienl,if  we  should  find  at  any 
I  '  time  that  a  more  northern  i  ituaiion  would  bu 
I  '  i>n  ffiabh;  for  the  carrying  mi  of  the  trade." 
I       Air.  Diuidas  said: 

I      "At  .\ooika  wc  have  obtained  a  specific  riglilto 
I  'trade  and  fish." 

I       Of  the  ojiposilion,  ]\Ir.  pox  said: 
j      "Our  rii;lit  bi  fore  was  to  .settle  in  a;iy  part  of 
i  '  South  <ir  Niirthv.est  America,  not  fortiilt  d  against 

*  UH  by  previous  occujiaiicy;  and  we  are  now  re- 
I  '  stricied  to  si  tile  in  certain  places  only,  and  uiidir 

'  certain  restrictions;  we  had  oliia.iH  .1  an  adinis  i'.ii 

'  of  our  rights  lo  settle  to  the  north,  and  even  that, 

!  •  we  had  not  ob*   iin  d  with  c.learnesH,  as  the-  .Siiaii- 

I  »isli  settleiiieiK    were  the  only  mark  of  limits. 

I      Lord  North  said:  "Was  it  nut  iK.i.e.s.sary  to 

'know  the  reasons  for  so  vague  a  delineation  of 

I  'our  righl.s  in  the  northwestern  Ain..iicaii  seas  aa 

'the   eiiiiveiitioii    eoiilaineil,  and  of    the   boon   of 

'Spain's  not  eoloni/.ing  bey,ind  the  most  iiortluin 

'of  her  sctth  nients.:"_(See  vol.  2S,  pages  !)H(), !)!)«, 

i''arliaiiieiitary  llist(n'y.)     It  i.s  ilius  .shown   that 

(Jnal  r.ritaiii  could  make  no  scltlenient.s  south  of 

Nootka  sound.     Tiiat  this  Nootica  treaty  was  one 

for  the   purposes  of  commerce,  imvigation,  and 

trading  with  the  Indian  tribes,  and  that  it  does  not 

eohftr  the  ri^lii  of  soil  and  sovereignty,  is  further 

shown  by  Alessrs.    Iluskissoii  and  Addiiigliin  in 

their  c.onnnunici'.tioii  ti'  Mr.  (Jallaiin  in  ISxit),  while 

I  iKgotiating  about  the.  lerrilory  of  Ori'goii.     They 

say:  "Great  Britain  claims  no  exilu.sive  sovereign- 

,  '  ty  over  any  portion  of  the  territory  on  the  I'a- 

'  eifir  between  the  42d  and  4'Jlh  parallels  of  lati- 

'  tude  ;  her  present  claim — not  in  respect  to  any 

'  part,  but  to  the  whole — is   limited  lo  a  rii^ht  of 

'  joint  oceupaiii-y  in  common   w  iih   other  States, 

'  lf!aving  the  right  of  exclusive  ilominioii  in  ahey- 

I  'ani'e;and  her  pretensions  tend  to  the  mere  niaiii- 

i  '  t.  nance  of  her  own  rights  in  resistance  to  the  ex- 

j  '  elusive  eliar.icter  of  the  iiriicnsions  of  the  United 

I 'States."     "The  rights  of  Groe.t  Britain  are  re- 

j  '  corded   and   defined   in   the  convention   of  1790, 

'  (wiih  Spain:)  tlwy  embrace  the  right  to  navigate 

'  '  the  waters  of  those  countries,  to  settle  in  and  over 

}  '  any  ]iarl  of  them,  and  to  trade  with  the  inhabil- 

;  '  ants  and  occupants  of  the  same.     It  is  admitted 

'  that  the  Tliiited  States  possess  the  same  right;  but 

'  beyond  those  rights  they  possess  none." 

I'his  convention,  therefore,  l)elv/een  Great  Brit- 
ain and  Spain  does  not  in  any  way  iiiijiair  the  ulti- 
niiite  sovereignty  which  Spain  had  exercised  for 
more  than  two  centuries  over  the  wliole  Pacific 
coa.sl  :is  far  as  the  Olst  degree  of  north  latitude. 
The  [ilanting  of  permanent  colonies  by  Great  Brit- 
ain is  nowhere  granted  in  that  treaty,  m)r  is  ex- 
cluisive  jurisJiclion  given  to  her  over  any  poiia.- 


of  tlie 
ping,  al 

Mich  till 
thtU  S| 
by  thati 
that  Blf 
tn  ity, 
wholly  I 
Criat  M 
of  nalio 
Gnat  B 
ating  \\\ 
'nin  kil 
'  tn'atie.-l 
'  tv.i  en 

Prior] 
the  ri^'hl 
iir;  ail' 
of  (.ihell 
Great  I'.l 
pliilipoll 
HA  to  ihi] 

lli.it  our 
.V.'cntar 
slated  I- 
'  from  u: 
'  elare  tl 
'  the  ri-l 
'  rally, 
'  foiinerl 
'  of  fishii 
'  diction, 
'  shores  I 

*  newed 
seen  that 
Ih'itaiii  1 
treaty. 

The  n( 

which  I 

tain  and 
ber,  IHli- 
one  iiecci 
"Itisi 
'.d  by 
'  Aincrici 
'  logethei 
'  the   iia\ 

•  free  am 


9 


Itjccts  of  llus 


i.ill 


i;imy  on 


i:  iir  iikjIc.iUi- 

llic  <'i)imtrii<'.- 
I.it(.'  (ir.cii,  Mi;- 
ilii'  iiiiiiislry, 

III'  Miilllln-H', 

I  iIk'  kin;;  lor 

utlui,  ImiI,  by 
ti''i|>alt;  in  a 
!il  fuKi  at  any 
in  wiiiiKl  be 
l.ailc!." 

cciflc  riglit  to 


nny  part  of 

■tiCn  (I  ii'^iiinHt 
1  art!  now  rr- 
)•,  ami  nmici" 
an  adnii.S'ii'M 
ml  even  that, 
as  tin'  Siuui- 
iflimit.s/' 
III  ((js.sary  to 
I'lini'alioii  of 
liiaii  sras  as 
lliu   liiiiin  of 
lost  niirtlii  I  n 
.;r.sl)HI),!)!)(j, 
.slniwn   lluit 
nis  south  of 
vity  wan  ono 
i;:,aliiiii,  and 
I  it  (liii.'.s  nut 
y,  i.s  fuilhrr 
ldin;;ton  in 
1S;2(;,  uliile 
ijiMi.     Tlu  y 
e  sovcrei;;n"- 
on   the  Pa- 
lUla  of  lati- 
i:i  t   to  any 
a  lii'ht  of 
iir  Status, 
n  in  nbcy- 
niLTC  niain- 
to  llie  (;x- 
tlie  United 
aiii  )uv,  rc- 
of  179(), 
to  navi^^atfi 
n  and  ovi;r 
10  inhaliit- 
s  aduiittcJ 
rii^lit;  but 


u 


iirat  Drit- 
tlic  wlti- 


ri'isi'd  fur 
olo  Pacific 
1 


latitude. 
J  rent  Drii- 
nor  is  ex- 
ny  poi'.'u.' 


of  Iho  Hoil.  Tin;  ri;,'lil  of  fi.shiti!;,  Innitin;;,  trap- 
pin;;,  ami  trndin;;  with  the  iiativiM,  and  tnntiiij; 
hUili  K  nipui.iiy  liuildin;;;iaM  ini^lit  be  niee.sMaiy  fur 
I' 


*  should  think  fii,  at  any  limr  nfic  r  ihe  'JOili  of  Oc- 

•  tolter,  lH'>8,on  •ivinj^'ilue  nuiiccof  l\V(  Ive  nionlhs 


iinli  K  nipui.iiy  huiKIin;;;i  lui  ini^rhl  be  m.ee.sMary  fur  I  '  to  the  other  nniirai'ini;;  parly,  tunnnnl  and  uliro- 
hat  MjiirirH  u|  r.iinnnerie,  is  i  'I  llmt  was  ;;rant('d  |  *  ;.^ile  this  eonvenlion;  and  it  >hall  in  .surli  rase  ho 

liy  liiat  ti'i  aiy,  iH  ail  that  ii>   lan:Mn;;r  iiiiPoilM,  or 

that    IJiiti.sh  MaiiKinen  I'lainn'd   for  it.     itnl  tliis 

trinity,  uhali'vir  it  may  have  Irin  oiT,'inally,  was 

whuily   abro^aii  i|   in    J7'.)(I  hy    the    war    liilwicn 

(iiiat  Drilain  und  .'•^pain.     Siieii  is  tiie  setiied  law 


M.' 
of  nations,  as  n  ('(innisi'd  over  and  over  u'^ain  liy 

tireat  Hritaiii.     tn  ISl.'i,  Lord  Ilathnr.-.l,  in  ne;;oli- 

ulin';  with   Mr.  Adams,  says:  "'I'hat   (iriai  lirit- 

*iiin    knows  of  no  e\eeptiun  lu  the  rule   that  all 

'  treaties  are  put  an  end  to  by  liuLiHeijiunit  war  be- 

'  tv,i  en  ihe  .-ami;  p.iilies." 

Priur  to  thi;  lali.'  war,  the  Pnited  Slates  cnioyi  d 
the  ri:;hl  upon  ihe  lanks  of  Xewfunndland  of  land- 
in';  and  dryin;;their  fi.sh.  Pending'  the  ni  ;;utiations 
of  Ghent  I'ur  funeliulini^a  treaty  uf  pi  aee  Iji  Uvien 
lireat  Hrilain  and  ihc  United  S  ites,  the  IJrilish 
pli'iiipoleiitiaries  reallirmed  the  fureijiiiii'j;  prim  iple 
as  to  the  di.vf.ulvin^' of  treaties.  In  Vcilnme  !),  iia;;e 
.'!']|,  of  the  Anieriran  Shile  IVijurf:,  it  will  be  seen 
that  our  ministers,  in  a  eonuniniiealion  to  the  then 
Secretary  of  Stale,  say  that  the  I'rilish  ministers 
Hinted  tu  them  "that  before  they  de.-;in  d  any  answi  r 
'  from  us,  they  felt  it  ineinnljeiit  upmi  ilu  ni  to  de- 
'  elare  that  the  Hriii.-li  CIovfTnmeiit  did  nut  deny 
'  the  ri;^ht  of  the  Amerieans  to  the  fishi  lies  ;;ene- 
'  ndly,  or  in  the  o-  i  i,  seas;  but  that  the  privileijes 
'  formerly  ijranted  l,y  treaty  to  the  UiiituI  States, 
'  uf  fishin;  within  the  limits  of  the  IJriti-;h  jm-is- 
'  dietion,  and  of  landini;  and  dryiiu;  fish  on  the 
'  shores  of  the  nritisli  territories,  wunid  nut  be  ro 
'  newed  without  an  etpiivalenl."  Hence  it  will  be 
seen  that,  by  theirovvn  rule,  the  war  between  Great 
I'ritain  and  Sjiain,  in  lIDtJ,  totally  annulled  this 
ticaly. 

"J'he  next  treaty  havini;  rcfiTeiice  to  tiiis  .subject 
which  1  will  notice,  is  the.  une  between  Great  liri- 
tain  and  the  Uniii d  States,  bcariiifi; 'hite  i2(;'lh  Octo- 
her,  1818.  The  third  section,  which  is  the  only 
one  iKjccssary  here  to  be  quoted,  is  as  follows: 

"  It  isa;;reeil  that  any  euimtry  tlii'.l  nu'y  he  claim- 
'  id  by  either  parly  on  the  nurthwest  eoast  of 
'  America  westward  of  the  Stuny  mountains  shtdl, 
'  together  w  itii  its  harhm-s,  hays,  and  eret  ks,  and 
'  the  navi;;ation  of  all  rivers  within  the  same,  be 
'  iVee  und  open  lor  the  term  of  ten  years  from  the 
'  (lute  of  tin;  signature  of  the  pre.sent  convention, 

•  to   the  vessels,  citizens,  and  subject  of  the  two 

•  powers;  it  being  well  umhiv.tuud  that  this  agree- 
'  mem  is  not  to  lie  constnud  to  the  prejudice  of  any 

•  claim  which   either  of  the  two   high  cuntraiHing 
'  parlies  may  have  to  any  part  of  the  said  country, 

•  mn-  shall  it  be  taken  to  allect  the  claims  of  un'y 

•  other  power  or  .stale  to  any  part  of  the  said  coun- 

•  try;  the  only  ol jcrt  of  the  high  contracting  par- 

•  ties  in  that  respect  being  to  prevent  disputes  and 
'  dilferiMices  among  themselves." 

The  treaty  I'etwccn  the  same  parties  of  Augu.st 
G,  IHtiT,  which  is  a  mere  iirulongatiun  of  that  of 
18 IH,  provides  by  its  fu'st  section  for  the  indefinile 
continuance  of  the  privileges  of  fvcv  navigation, 
•lunting  and  fishing;  and  the  second  .section  thereof 
is  in  the  following  word.s: 

"  Art.  2.   It  shall   he  competent,  however,  to 

•  cither  of  the  conlractin^  parlies,  in  cat;c  cither 


^nfc"    i.Mi>i    »  >»ii»«  tti*w|i,    t^iMi     IV    I'liiiii     III    .>»n    II    '  tin*:    i/*- 

'  accordingly  t  iiliri  ly  imnulh  d  and  alirogaled  after 
'  the  expir.itiun  of  the  s.iid  term  uf  nutiee." 

It  will  l)e  si'iii  by  examining  ihe  pruvi.-iuns  of 
all  tin  se  treaties,  ihat  the  right  of  i  imnent  domain 
is  nowhere  graniid  or  ili' :|iosed  of;  an<l  that  the 
mere  lempurary  rights  of  the  Ir.ipper,  the  lumter, 
and  till!  fisherman,  are  nhiiie  cuntemplaied  by 
tlicni.  It  will  be  further  oluarMil  that  the  two 
Guvernmeni.t,  looking  to  the  future 
of  the.  country,  when 


to  the  luture  sctlli  nieiit 
it  would  III  cunie  impurt- 
ant  that  the  ti  rriiurial  limits  shuiild  tie  delined, 
pruvidcd  hy  the  tnaly  of  I^'J7  a  peaceabh'  mode 
i'or  its  annulment  imd  dissolution.  Giving  the 
twelve  months'  notice!  is  the  eonveiiliunal  inude 
jiointed  out  by  the  two  Governments  in  the  treaty 
of  1^27  to  untie  the  irunlian  kiioi,  without  resort- 
ing 10  the  swurd  to  .-ever  it. 

ii  is  cunlei.ded  by  sume  genllcnu  n  un  this  floor, 
and  by  a  port; n'  >l  the  press,  lliiil  (.irent  I'liiain 
\\i\.i  for  years  ]ia.'-.'  Seen  regardful  of  the  righi.i  of 
other  Government.;. 

If  IS  not  my  ;  uiposo  to  deal  in  hi-'h-sounding 
epithetd  of  di.'iiunci.ition  against  Great  I'rilam,  for 
they  can  ''u  uo  good  to  the  cause;  but  I  desire  here 
lu  brill',' forwaiil  a  l'  vv  i.'curreiices  in  illustration  of 
her  imperiuus  dispo.siiiun  inwards  other  Powers. 

Take,  for  iinlanep,  the  IS'ouika  iilVair.  Here 
were  Portu-ui  .-e  vcsst  Is  with  a  Portuguese  owner, 
sailing  under  the  Portugiu  :e  (la^'',  and  landing  in 
till!  Spanish  dominions.  'I'hey  are  cajUiired  by 
the  Si.ani.-.li  iiuihorities.  The  I. ivish  Government, 
in  the  priih,  ami  I  may  say  insolence  of  her  power, 
assumed  the  ai't  and  ^leld  Spain  ri  spuiisilile;  and 
why  f  Uecausc  >  pain  was  tuo  ^veak,single-halld(d, 
to  resist  her  coiiitrary  exactions. 

Take  the  rase  of  her  whipping  the  Chinese  until 
.she  compelled  them  to  buy  her  opium,  and  then 
made  them  pay  the  exi'ciises  of  the  war! 

Take  the  ea.se  of  the  Caroline,  nn  Amrrienn 
ves^-el,ancliuied  to  the  American  shore,  at  Sclilos- 
aer,  and  boarded  by  P)ritish  suljecfs  at  midnight, 
fii't  on  fue,  and  sent  headlong  over  the  fulls  of  xNi- 
ugara ! 

Our  Government  demandi  (1  satisfaction  for  tlin 
invasion  of  our  tcrrit(n-y,and  outrage  on  the  rights 
of  our  citizens;  but  the  I'rilish  (Government  a.s- 
sumed  the  act,  and  no  indemnity  was  given  to  the 
ovviu^rs  of  the  <'aruliiie,  and  no  aiunement  made 
fur  the  iniirdc  r  of  Durfee.  Sir  Allan  AfeNab  was 
knighted,  ami  a  dinner  was  given  to  him,  and  a 
pensiiiii  to  (V.|ii;;in  Drew,  for  the  jiurl  they  bon;  in 
this  disgracet\il  transaction. 

If  there!  is  one  sin  in  the  conduct  of  this  Gov- 
ernment deeper  than  all  oIIk  rs,  it  is  their  permit- 
ting thi.s  indignity  and  insult  on  the  part  of  Great 
Pritain  to  pa.-s  vviih  impunity,  llow  dill'erent  i.s 
it  from  the  exanijdc  given  to  the  world  in  the 
iXodtka  ca.c. 

Great  Pritiiin  has  a  .sliding  scale  not  only  in  re- 
gard to  her  cum  laws,  but  she  has  one  also  in  re- 
gard to  ihe  faith  which  she  kecjis  with  other  na- 
tions. She  feels  the  pulse  of  a  nation  with  whom 
.she  has  or  expects  to  have  a  controversy,  in  order 
to  ascertain  how  lai'-'e  u  do^x■  of  her  compound  of 


10 


nrropiince  ncd  cxtiction  tlic  patinU  will  stand,  and 
she  deals  out  the  noslnini  nccordinjrly. 

We  arc  asked  iiow  Clrrat  I?ritain  can  nvnid  {^^in;^ 
to  war  will)  us  if  our  citizens  siftiic  norili  of  the 
Columbia  river,  or  venture  on  any  nart  of  the  ter- 
ritory wiiieii  she  rjainis?  M^  •eply  is  this:  that 
when  she,  by  liluster  and  bravado,  phircs  iurscif 
in  a  false  position  in  rei^faid  to  aiiollier  nation,  and 
finds  tliat  her  demands  will  not  be  submitted  to, 
and  that  she  can  expe<'t  no  benefit  from  a  war,  she 
will  have  sufficient  address  to  bow  herself  out  of  it 
with  a  tolerable  gi'ace.  Such  is  her  position  now. 
She  elaims  that  which  is  ours;  if  we  submit,  she 
will  lake  it,  and  Iowa  and  Wisconsin  into  the  bar- 
gain. If  we  do  not  sidnnii,  she,  seeini^  that  war 
would  be  more  perilous  to  her  than  to  us,  will  re- 
examine her  title-paptrs,  aiul  find  and  liriiij;  to 
li;j:ht  some  inayi  with  red  lines  traced  upon  it,  lliat 
will  let  her  out  of  the  difTiculty,  and  cover  her  re- 
treat. 

The  war-eiy  that  has  been  raised  here  and 
throughout  the  country,  in  the  discussion  of  this 
question,  I  regard  as  one  of  the  greatest  humiuigs 
of  the  age.  It  is  a  tempest  in  a  teapot ,  which,  lilce 
the  innumerable  bank  panics  and  war  [lanics  gotten 
up  for  the  occasion  within  tlie  last  fifteen  years,  will 
have  its  day,  and  pass  ofl",  leaving  those  who  are 
alarmed  by  it  to  wonder  why  they  were  so  need- 
lessly excited. 

Let  the  war  prophets  avoid  the  error  into  which 
Miller  fell  in  foretelling  the  destruction  of  the  earth, 
and  not  set  the  day  for  the  fulfilment  of  the  prophe- 
cy too  near  at  hand. 

Great  Britain  does  not  desire  a  M'ar  with  us,  and 
we  do  not  desire  a  war  with  her.  She  wants  our 
bread  rather  than  our  blood.  The  mutual  iiUeresIs 
of  the  two  nations  are  bonds  bctv/een  them  to  keep 
the  peace.  She  must  obtain  from  us  our  cottim 
and  provisions  in  exchange  for  her  niiuiufacturc.^. 
To  talk  about  Great  Britain  conrpiering  us  iswholh' 
preposterous.  Our  territory  extending  from  ocean 
to  ocean — our  pojiulation,  numbering  twenty  mil- 
lions of  souls,  nerved  by  the  conviction  that  ours 
is  the  best  and  the  only  jiopular  government  on 
earth,  we  are  impregnable  to  the  attacks  of  any 
and  all  foreign  powers.  The  inevitable  result  of  a 
war  would  be  the  loss  to  Great  Britain  of  the  Can- 
adas.  She  lias  done  much  more  by  her  course  in 
regard  to  the  Oregon  territory  to  provoke  us  to  a 
war  than  all  of  our  proposed  measures  can  do  to 
embroil  her  in  a  war  with  us.  In  iiddition  to  the 
other  acts  of  aggression  upon  our  territory,  we  find 
the  reasons  avowed  for  reiuM.ing  the  charter  to  the 
Hudson  Bay  Company'  in  the  following  extract: 

««0n  the  10th  of  February,  1S.S7,  the  Hudson 
'  Bay  Company  apjilied  to  the  British  GoveinineiU 
'for  a  new  lease  of  tlicir  charter  for  Iwenly-one 
'  years.     The  ajiplication  was  made  in  a  letter  of 

•  that  date,  from  J.  Pelly,  Esq.,  Governor  of  the 

•  Company,  to    Lord   Glenelg,   then  S(  cretary  of 

•  Suae  for  the  Colmiics.  This  letter  sets  forth  the 
'  grounds  of  the  application.     It  states  all  that  the 

•  company  have  done  to  carry  out  the  purposes  of 
'  the  British  Government.  It  tells  how  they  have 
«  driven  the  Americans  out  of  tlie  fur  trade,  and  got 
'  it  all  for  themselves — how  they  occuj)y  the  whole 

•  countryby  twenty -two  permanent  estadlishmeiits, 
«  (this  was  in  1837,)  and  many  distinct  hunting 


'  parlie."^ — how  they  keep  six  armed  vessels,  one  of 
'  them  a  steamer,  off  the  coast — how  they  have  in 
'  one  place  begun  fanning,  and  mean  to  export  iig- 
'  ricullural  products — how  the  country  is  as  fine 
*  fiu'ming  ground  as  any  in  Ann  rica — and,  finally, 
'  how  they  <;oiifidently  hope  thai,  '  with  care  and 
'  protection,  the  British  domini'in  may  not  only  be 
'  prfservid  in  this  country,  which  il  has  been  so 
'  much  the  wish  of  Russia  and  America  to  oecu])y, 
'  to  the  exclusion  of  British  subjects,  but  British 
'  iiiK'rest  iind  British  intluence  may  be  maintained 
'  as  jiarainount  on  this  interesting  |iart  of  the  coast 
'of  the  Pacific'  Thus  fiir — and  it  is  very  far — 
'  Governor  Felly,  sjieaking  to  the  Government  of 
'  the  comi>any's  purj^ise  and  policy. 

"  But  this  is  noi  all.  On  the  1st  of  February, 
'  18.'J7,  George  Simpson,  l''s(p,  agent  of  the  com- 
'  paiiy  in  America,  writes  to  Governor  Pelly  on 
'  the  same  subject.  He  says,  '  the  po.ssessicm  of 
'  that  country  (Oregon)  to  Great  Britain  may  be- 
'  come  an  ol)ject  of  very  great  importance,  and  we 
'  are  strengthening  their  claim  to  it  iiy  forming  the 
'  nucleus  of  a  colony,  through  the  establishment  of 
'  farms  luid  the  settlement  of  f-'ome  of  our  retiring 
'  oflicers  and  servants  as  agriculturists.'  This  Ino 
'  went  to  the  Government  with  ihe  application  for 
'  aiu  w  lease.  Ofcouwee  the  company  gottheirlease. 
'To  the  British  Cruvernment  such  arguments  were 
'  altogether  irresistible.  But,  be  it  observed,  into 
'  the  new  lease  thus  granted  in  1838,  the  Govern- 
'  ment  introduced  a  wholly  new  condition.  Lord 
'  Glenelg  tells  them  in  his  rej)ly,  that  they  may 
'have  their  trade  monopoly  as  before,  '  but,' he 
'  adds,  '  it  will  be  indispensable  to  introduce  into 
'  the  new  charter  such  conditions  as  may  enable 
'  her  Majesty  to  grant,  for  the  purjiose  of  scttle- 
'  ment  and  col(niizalion,any  of  the  landr^  comprised 
'  in  it.'  And  accordingly  in  the  charier  \vi\s  inserted 
'  a  proviso  reserving  to  the  crown,  in  the  largest 
'  terms,  a  full  right  to  'establish  colonies, 'and  'gov- 
'  ern'  them,  and  'annex  them  to  other  colonics  be- 
'  longing  to  the  crown' — and  thisinany  of  the  'lands 
'  granted. '  What  were  these  lands  so  granted  ?  The 
'  northwest  of  America  not  '  under  any  civil  gov- 
'  erninentof  the  UnitedStates.'  Thiit  is, every  inch 
'  (if  Oregon,  down  to  latitude  4^?  degrees." 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  Hudson  Bay  Com- 
pany, under  the  authority  of  the  Britisli  Govern- 
ment, is  not  only  .settling  her  retired  servants  in 
that  country,  but  is  also  preparing  prospectively 
f(M' establishing  colonies  there;  and  still  wcha\c 
made  no  \\ar  upon  that  power  for  her  encroach- 
ments. Yet  the  distempered  fancy  of  some  gentle- 
men Ik'.s  not  only  enabled  them  to  see  the  "air- 
drawn  dauger,"  but  also  to  fancy  they  see  Great 
Britain  shaking  her  "  gory  locks"  at  u.s  for  our 
supposed  violation  of  her  rights.  The  war-spirit 
is  already  sufliciently  ardent  throughout  the  coun- 
try, and  does  not  require  to  be  fiunied  into  a  flame. 

Some  of  those  on  the.  other  side,  in  marshalling 
the  strength  of  Great  Britain,  have  referred  to  her 
seventy  odd  colonies,  scattered  over  every  portion 
of  the  globe,  as  giving  her  military  power;  out  the 
reverse  is  the  fact.  Her  colonics,  exclusive  of  the 
(.'anadas,  nurnber,  at  a  low  estimate,  one  hundred 
and  twenty  millirms  of  souls;  of  ihis  number  there 
is  not  one  million  of  the  white  European  race; 
consequently,  in   any  emergency,  that  immense 


1 


11 


:sscls,  one  of 
they  have  in 
In  rxport  ac;- 
ry  is  as  fine 
-and,  fiiu'lly, 
illi  care  and 
y  not  only  l.o 
lias  been  so 
Ml  to  orcn))y, 
i,  hut  r.ritish 
c  niainiaincd 
I  of  the  roust 
is  very  far — 
Dvernmciit  of 

of  February, 
of  the  coni- 
nor  Pelly  on 
possession  of 
tain  may  hc- 
anec,  and  wo 
y  funning;  the 
ahlishinent  of 
f  our  retiring 
s.'    This  too 
pplication  for 
;ottheirlease. 
i^unicnts  were 
iViserved,  into 
,  the  Govern - 
lit  ion.     Lord 
hat  tliey  may 
ore,  '  Init,'  he 
ntroduee  into 
s  may  enable 
lo.se  of  scttle- 
ulsco.iiprised 
r  was  inserted 
in  the  largest 
es,'and  'gov- 
cfilonicH  be- 
of  the  'lands 
ranted?  The 
ny  civil  jrov- 
s, every  inch 
Kcs." 
n  Bay  Com- 
itish  Govern- 
scrvnnts  in 
irospectivcly 
^till  we  ha\c 
ler  e  nc  roach - 
'some  gcntle- 
=cc  the  "air- 
y  see  Great 
it  us  for  our 
lie  war-spirit 
out  the  coun- 
into  a  flame, 
vnarshallinj; 
•ferred  to  her 
!very  portion 
ower;  l)ut  tlie 
■lusive  of  the 
one  hundred 
lumber  there 
iropcan  race; 
lat  immense 


mass  of  human  beinp;.<?,  held  in  subjection  against 
their  will  by  a  handful  of  Uritish,  mu^t  revolt  and 
turn  upon  their  oj)pre.'<sors.  The  overseer  work- 
ing and  fjDverniiii;  a  hundred  liands  would  not, 
in  case  of  an  insurrection  amongst  tlu'  negroes,  be 
more  |ierfectly  jiowcrli.^s  in  (pulliim  them  than 
would  Great  I'ritain  to  subdue  her  <  i)ioni<'s  in  the 
event  of  a  general  rebellion,  ller  colonies,  there- 
fore, cannot  aid  her  in  a  war  w  ilh  us,  but  they 
may  in  the  meantime  achieve  th(  ir  free<lom  from 
British  thraldom.  Ireland,  too,  is  rife  with  the 
war  sj>irit  again.sl  England,  and  she  would  apply 
the  torch  on  the  first  fitting  occasion. 

The  aggressions  of  Great  Britain  ujion  Amei-ican 
rights — her  bribing  the  mercenary  Indians  in  limes 
))asl  to  the  murder  of  helpless  women  ruul  children, 
iiave  fixed  a  diep-rooted  prtjudice  in  llie  minds  of 
our  i)eo]ile,  and  ihey  are  at  all  times  eager  for  a 
war  with  her  when  occasion  shall  require  it;  and 
if  Great  Britain  shall  make  war  upon  us  because 
of  the  assertion  and  maintenance  of  our  rights, 
upon  her  head  nuisl  rest  the  consecpKiiices. 

Before  the  conflict  is  ended,  her  foundations  may 
be  sapped — her  days  may  be  numbered — and  some 
modern  Daniel  may  be  called  u})on  to  read  and  to 
interpret  the  liandvv  riting  on  the  wall. 

The  tcrrit(My  of  Oregon  is  bounded  on  the  north 
by  the  parallel  of  FA'^  40',  on  the  east  by  the  Rocky 
mountains,  south  by  the  42d  parallel,  and  west  by 
the  Pacific.  Jt  is  about  (!5l)  miles  in  leiigih  and  ^y'A) 
in  br(  adih.and  contains  ..  out  .'!GO,OUO.s([uaremil(.;; 
is  greater  in  extent  ihiM  the  Atlantii-.  jiortion  ofllie 
thirteen  colonies — stretch ing  from  tin  I'rozen  regions 
of  the  north  to  those  of  pierjietual  verdure  of  the 
south;  the  climate  is  more  soft  and  i)alniy,  the  soil 
is  more  lively  and  fertile.  Its  rivers  rising  in 
diil'erent  jioriions  of  the  territory,  flow  to,",etlKr, 
find  }ui.';siiig  throui'li  the  gorges  of  th.e  mountain, 
constitute  the  Columbia,  and  have  a  single  outlet 
to  the  sea.  Its  coast,  with  a  few  exceptions,  is 
what  sailors  term  iron  boiiiid,  and  would  reiiuire 
but  few  fortifications  to  make  it  iinpiTgnable  to 
the  attack  of  eiuniies.  Thus  situateil,  this  terri- 
tory in  the  hands  of  Americans  is  eminently  fitted 
for  strength,  union,  and  wealth;  it  cannot  le  divi- 
d(!d  without  mutilating  its  fair  proportions;  it  must 
belong  to  one  nation,  and  that  should  be  the  United 
Slates.  It  is  ours,  and  no  ft  ar  of  .sacrifice,  either 
of  blood  or  treasure,  should  induce  ii.s  to  yield  one 
foot  of  tl^e  territory;  it  is  too  intimately  connected 
with  American  power  and  greatness  to  suffer  it  to 
be  sacrificed  on  any  terms. 

Although  for  a  maii'ier  of  years  past  lait  few  of 
our  eiii>.ens,  except  Mapiurs  and  liuiUt  rs,  have 
gone.'  to  Oregon  yet  v.ithin  the  last  three  or  four 
years  the  tidi-  of  emigration  to  that  country  has 
rapidly  iinMeasi d.  Di;;t;;nce  seems  to  be  overlook- 
ed Ijy  them.  iS'oihing  can  be  more  interesting  than 
the  narratives  given  of  the  travels,  from  day  to 
day,  of  the  thousands  who  are  marching  over  bar- 
ren plains  and  sandy  deserts  to  Oregon.  In  It  13, 
among  othei  emigrants,  there  passed  through  my 
Bectiou  of  country  an  eldeily  gentleman,  with  his 
wife,  his  (hiidnii,  and  his  craiidchildren,  number- 
ing betvvieii  thirty  and  forty.  They  had  their 
flocks  ur.d  their  lierd.s  with  tlu  in,  and,  cam|>iiig  for 
a  few  days  in  one  of  our  prairies,  they  purchased 
Borne  cuttle  to  add  to  their  stock,  Th';  old  man  had 


a  bright  eye,  n  firm  step,  and  a  heart  that  quailed 
not  in  contemplating  dangers  and  dilTiculties.  He 
was  going  to  get  land  for  his  children  and  grand- 
children— to  occupy  the  American  soil;  and  1  could 
not  but  think  how  greatly  our  people  were  in  ad- 
vance of  the  Government. 

These  accounts  constantly  remind  via  of  the  trav- 
els of  the  piU.riarchs  of  old;  iind  looking  back 
through  the  dim  vista  of  time  to  the  days  of  primi- 
tive simplicity,  we  .see  Abraham  and  Lot  pilching 
their  tents  in  the  land  of  Canaan  and  the  plains  of 
Jordan,  separating  to  ihi;  right  iiand  and  to  the  It-ft, 
to  prevent  strife  between  their  herdsmen,  as  the 
whole  land  was  before  them;  when  Jacol),  with 
his  lujuschold  and  hi.^  cattle  that  were  ring-streaked 
and  sjieckl(  (1,  (le|)arii  d  from  Padan  Aram,  the  home 
of  Labaii,  bis  fatlp  -in-law,  and  returning  to  visit 
his  lather  in  the  hiiiil  of  Canaan,  met  anil  ex- 
I  handed  fraternal  salutations  with  his  brother  E;<au, 
in  "  the  land  of  Seir,"  the  country  ofLdom;  whni 
Moses  and  Aaron,  following  the  "pillar  ot' cloud 
by  day  and  of  fire  liy  night,"  conducted  the  chil- 
dren of  Israel  in  their  pili:;rimage  threnigh  the  wil- 
derness. Here,  however,  the  i>arallel  e;ease's,  for 
the  American  flag  has  not  been  furnished  to  our 
people,  and  th.e  American  law.s  have  liot  be:e'n  ex- 
tended o\er  them,  to  guide  them  to,  and  shield 
them  in,  the  '■  land  of  promise"  lieyond  the  moun- 
tain.s;  yet  they  jness  onward  with  an  ardor  and  an 
energy  whie:li  t'atiguc  e:annot  e.xhaust  or  subdue', 
ciicouiitering  at  every  stej)  the  untutored  savai;e, 
and  eiuluring  toils  and  privations  kiie)wu  only  to 
the'  hardy  pioneer. 

"We  can  have  but  a  faint  cimjecture  of  the  tumult 
of  delight  and  the  wild  and  rapturous  joy  which 
lieavcs  the  bosom  of  those  enterprising  spirits, 
when  from  the  crest  eif  the  lloe'ky  mouniains  they 
fust  gaze  uj)on  the  hills  and  valleys,  mountains  and 
rivers  beyond — when  they  stanel  ujuin  the  IjIuITs, 
and  w  iih  bi  wildering  eleliglit  hear  the  roar  of  the 
niighi.y  Pae  ifie-,.  These  men  have  gone  fe)rlh  le> 
I'ound  an  e'm]>ire,  animated  Ijy  the  same  noble'  and 
generous  im]>ulses  which  be)rc  the  jiilgrim  fathers 
acrf)ss  the  deep  to  the  re)ck  of  Plyme)uth,  and 
which  lempieel  Boone  in  his  ventures  across  the 
(.'umberlaiid  mouniains,  and  tlirough  the  fei  tile;  and 
beautiful  vales  of  Kenlueky  to  tl.c  banks  of  the 
miijestic  Ohio. 

"NVho  of  m  in  those  day.s  could  .sie  even  dim- 
ly in  the  fumre  the  new  State.';  wl,i<h  we)uld  .spring 
up  and  sp.rrad  e)ver  this  continent  from  sea  to  sea? 
The  wildest  dreams  eif  the  enthusiast  of  ihe^sc 
elays  have  bce'ii  more  than  reali/eel,  for  the  march 
eifimpreivenu'iit  has  e)Ulslripped  llie  imaginatiejii 
iise  If.  There'  is  in  this  untamiabh;  spirit  of  e-nter- 
|,i-i.-.( — whieh  is  one  e)f  the  elements  of  the  i.ature 
of  the  Amerii  an  peoiile — ne)  touch  of  sorelid  or 
mereenarv  fVrling.  They  go  forth  te)  see,  to  ex- 
plore, anil  to  inhabit  the  green  and  gltid  earth  whie'h 
(rod  lias  given  them,  and  oce-an  and  mountain  l)ar- 
ii'  :s  will  not  rct^irain,  cannot  limit,  tluir  onward 
march. 

Tliis  wild  spirit  of  adventure  gives  nerve  and  en- 
ertry  to  the  mental  and  |ihysical  man, and  prejinpts 
iu;  posses.!;or  to  deeds  e>f  jieril  and  of  danger,  from 
which  the  tame  and  timorous  would  shrink  with 
horror;  it  expands  the  heart,  and  unfettei'3  its  je)ys, 
its  hopes,  its  aspirations;  it  Iciid.s  a  new  charm  to 


12 


life,  a  new  sprinp;  to  human  cnrrirics  and  fIcRiros, 
and  wakens  in  the  brciist  a  Icindrcd  f(;(-lins;  willi 
that  which  animiUed  our  first  parents  in  the  garden 
of  Eden.  I  would  say  to  all  who  desire  to  go  to 
Oregon,  that  it  holds  out  to  the  emigrant  induec- 
ments  of  the  most  tempting  and  prrmanent  char- 
neter.  Go  and  select  your  farm  and  your  home, 
while  you  have  the  whole  country  to  choose  ftvmi; 
plant  yourselves  upon  the  virgin  s<;il,  and  our  pon- 
ulatioti  stretching  m  dense  masses  to  the  west,  will 
soon  embrace  you  within  its  circle.  For  myself, 
I  look  f(jr\vard  with  a  lively  hope  to  tlic  period 
when  I  shidl  climb  the  mountains,  traverse  the  val- 
leys, iuid  cross  the  rivers  of  Oregon;  i\nd  standing 
upon  the  bardvs  of  tiie  Columbia,  listen  with  wild 
delight  to  the  roar  of  its  waters  as  llvy  rush  into 
tlie  Pacific. 

About  the  parallel  of  48°,  there  are  some  excel- 
lent harbors;  but  south  of  that  there  arc  none,  ex- 
cept Dulfinch's  harbor  atid  the  mouth  of  the  Co- 
lumbia— ncitlicr  of  them  very  dcsiral.le. 

As  the  most  authentic  source  whence  informa- 
tion can  be  derived  on  this  subject,  I  will  give  a 
few  extracts  from  the  narrative  of  Captain  Wilkes 
touching  the  harbors  and  the  mouth  of  the  Colum- 
bia river.     Speaking  of  the  latter  he  says: 

"  Mere  description  can  give  little  idea  of  the  tcr- 
'rorsofthe  bar  of  the  Ciilunibia;  all  who   have 

•  seen  it  have  spoken  of  the  wildiiess  of  the  scene, 

•  the  incessant  roar  of  the  waters,  representing  it 

•  as  one  of  tlie  most  fearful  sights  that  can  meet  the 
'  eye  of  a  sailor."— Ko/.  4, ;).  -US. 

On  the  subject  of  the  parts  south  of  Fuca's 
straits  he  says: 

"The  coast  of  Oregon,  to  the  south  of  Cape 
'  Flattery,  (the  southern  cape  on  the  Straits  of  Fu- 
'  ca,)  is  rocky,  much  broken,  and  affords  tio  har- 
'  bors,  except  for  very  small  vessels." — To/.  4,  p. 
296. 

Again ,  speaking  of  the  coast  south  of  the  Colum- 
bia river,  he  says: 

"No  ports  exist  along  any  part  of  the  coast  of 

•  Oregon,  south  of  the  ColumljJa  river,  that  are  ac- 
'  cessible  to  any  class  of  vessels,  even  those  of  but 

•  very  small  draught  of  water." — Vol.  5,  p.  148. 

Further  on  he  speaks  in  raptures  of  the  safety 
and  caj)acity  of  the  harljor  at  Pugct  Sound.  Any 
number  of  the  largest  lineof-ljattle-ships  that  this 
ration  would  need  or  could  command,  might  lide 
there  in  the  utmost  safety.  This  is  his  description 
of  it: 

"  Nothing  can  exceed  the  beauty  of  ilicse  waters 

•  nor  their  safety;  not  a  shoal  exists  within  the 
'  Straits  of  Juan  de  Fuca,  Admiralty  Inlet,  Paget 
'  Sound,  or  Hood's  canal,  that  can,  in  any  way, 
'interru[)t  the  navigation  of  a  sevciUy-four-gun 
'  ship.     I  venture  nothing  in  .saying,  tlicre  is  no 

•  country  in  the  world   that  possesses  waters  equal 

•  to  these."— To/.  4,  p.  30.'j. 

Hence  it  will  be  seen  that  the  recent  proposition 
on  the  part  of  Great  Pritain  to  divide  the  territoiy, 
was  to  give  her  the  lioi;'s  share — to  yield  to  her 
the  maritime  supremacy  of  the  Pacific.  The  Pres- 
ident was  therefore  right  in  promptly  rejecting  it, 
and  no  party  or  individual  in  this  country  can  be 
Bustnincd  who  would  advise  its  acceptance. 


The  country  abounds  in  mountains  and  valleys, 
rivers  and  plains,  woodlands  and  prairies,  and 
from  its  climate  and  soil  it  is  destinea  to  be  one  of 
the  finest  grazing  countries  on  the  continent. 

Captain  Spalding,  in  his  letter,  says: 

"The  colony  from  the  United  States  is  situated 
'  in  the  Willamette,  (a  branch  of  the  Columbia,) 
'  about  ninety  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  river, 
'  which  is  undoubtedly  the  finest  grazing  and  wheal 
'  coinitry  in  Oregon. 

"The  extent  of  the  country  comprising  the  Wil- 
'  lamcttc  valley,  is  about  3U0  miles  long  and  200 
'  broad,  inlcrs])c.sed  with  wood,  generally  of  sutfi- 
'  cient  quantities  for  f\icl  and  fencing.  The  land, 
'  in  its  iiiUural  stale,  is  usually  ready  for  the  jilough, 
'  and  is  very  fertile,  jiroducing  from  2.'>  to  40  bush- 
'  els  of  wheat  to  the  acre;  and  the  ciimale  is  so 
'  mild,  that  the  eallle  .subsist  in  the  fields  without 
'  fodder  or  shelter  of  any  kind  being  prepared  or 
'  provided  for  them  throuirh  the  winter.  Probably 
'  no  jilace  in  the  world  aflbrds  greater  inducements 
'  for  enn'grants." 

"One  farmer  in  18;]7  raised  4,.'i00  bushels  of 
'  wheal,  4,000  bushels  peas,  1,700  bushels  barley, 
'  aiul  1  ,;')00  bushels  oats. 

"  Figs,  citrons,  oranges,  lemons,  and  most  of  the 
'  fruits  common  to  the  United  Slates,  grow  there. 

"  Farmers  can  raise  any  immber  of  cattle,  horses 
'  and  hogs — sometimes  five  or  six  hundred  head  of 
'  each  kind  of  animals. 

"  Wheat  is  nomin.ally  worth  $1  per  l)us!'cl;  beef, 
*  G  cents  jier  povuid;  pork,  10  cents;  cows,  $50  eacli; 
'  oxen,  ^GO;  horses,  ^^•'Ji  potatoes  bring  about  2.1 
'  cents  per  bushel;  and  laoor  is  wortii  about  ^t*];") 
'  per  month — the  laborer  being  foiuid  by  liis  cm- 
'  ployer." 

From  this  oiulinc  it  will  be  perceived  that  Oregon 
is  as  favorably  endowed  by  nature  with  all  the  ele- 
ments of  wealth  and  greatness  as  any  section  of 
the  Union,  anil  all  that  is  required  tor  the  develop- 
ment of  its  resources  is  the  hand  of  industry  and 
labor. 

Not  less  gifted  is  it  by  nature  tor  commerce;  and 
in  this  point  of  view  it  occupies  tlie  most  com- 
manding position.  Its  geographical  iulvaiUages  of 
situation  enables  it,  under  the  control  of  an  active 
and  energetic  Amcn-ican  population,  to  innicirate 
every  path  and  island  of  lite  Indian  ocean,  wluuher 
in  pursuit  of  the  v\hale,  or  in  the  rich  products  of 
the  tropics — consisting  of  cotton,  indigo,  tea,  cof- 
fee, sugar,  spices,  and  all  the  luxuries  which  can 
minister  to  the  wants  of  man.  Being  opposite  and 
near  to  Asia,  it  can,  by  means  of  commerce,  enter 
largely  into  the  East  Indian  and  C>hina  trade,  and 
draw  from  the  mines  of  eastern  wealth  and  magnifi- 
cence countless  millions,  and  jilant  upon  her  sea- 
board, cities  destined  to  rival  in  grandeur  ancient 
Cartilage,  Tyre,  and  Venice. 

"  The  American  continent,  washed  in  its  entire 
I  *  length  by  the  two  great  highways  of  nations,  pre- 
I  '  sents  extraordinary  advantages  to  its  population 
'  '  tor  commercial  inlercomvse.  Its  [msition  is  one  of 
1  '  nature's  nionoridlies."  «  *  *  *  » 
I  "  Seatthe  United  Slates  firmly  in  Oregon,  and  the 
!  '  corninerciil  enterprise  and  wealth  nf  the  world  will 
j  '  centralize  within  our  limits.  'J'he  trade  of  the  Tn- 
'  '  dian  ocean  has  enriched  every  nation  in  succession 


tliat  hi 
llaliai 
'  of  we; 
owt  s 
faciun 
pates 

posse': 

Its  bel 

varied 

'  .Soutlit 

' ocean. 

'  situate 

as  v.il 

Sueh 

prove 
tions  an 
nation 
it  is  not 
roads  w 
nect  wit 
of  conn 
cities,  d 
a  trade  v 
lieretofo 
Thus 
Pacific 
its  canv! 
clime  til 


13 


ins  and  viilleys, 
(1   prairies,  and 
tien  to  be  one  of 
continent. 
i;iy.s : 

kiitcs  is  situated 

the  Coli'mbia,) 

til  of  the  river, 

iizingand  wlioat 

priHin<;  thcWil- 
s  lon^  and  20U 
:ncraliy  of  sutTi- 
nj;.  The  huid, 
^  for  (lie  plough, 
\  25  to  40  bush- 
le  Climate  is  so 
c  fields  without 
:in<j  prepared  or 
liter.  Probably 
ter  inducements 

,rm  I)ushels  of 
bu.slicis  barley, 

and  most  of  the 
:s,  grow  there, 
of  cattle,  horses 
luiidrcd  head  of 

irr  bushel;  beef, 
cows,  $50  each; 
bring  about  2.") 
orth   about  |^,'J5 

uiid  by  his  cm- 

vod  that  Oregon 
with  all  the  ele- 

iiiy  section  of 
!"iu"  the  deveiop- 

f  industry  and 

commerce;  and 
tlic  most  com- 

itdvantagcs  of 

ol  of  an  active 
to  ]H;iietrate 
ocean,  whether 

ch  products  of 
iidigo,  tea,  cof- 
rics  which  can 
ig  opposite  anrl 
luiinerce,  enter 
liiia  triule,  and 
th  and  inagnifi- 

upon  her  sea- 
aiideur  ancient 


•  that  has  nijnyrd  it.  Tyre,  Phcnici;i,  Venice,  the 
'  Italian  States,  Portugal,. uid  Spain,  found  it  a  mine 

•  of  weailh.  (Jreat  Ilritain  at  the  iiresoiit  nioinent 
'  owt  s  inui'h  of  her  Nupremncy  in  commerce,  nianu- 

•  factiires,  and  wealth,  to  the  fact  that  .slie  jiartici- 
'  pates  more   Inriicly  than  any  othf^r  Power  in  its 

•  possession.     The  tropical  circle  in  no  |)ortioii  of 

•  Its  belt  around  the  gl(»be,  prcs-  nts  such  extensive, 
•varied,  and  valuable  productions  as  are  found  in 
'Southern  Asia,  and  in  th.e  islands  of  the  Indian 
•ocean.     No  i^ation  is  or  has  been   so  favorai)ly 

•  situated  to  divert  ihi;;  stream  of  wealth  into  its  laj), 

•  as  v.ill  be  the  impulation  occupying  Oregon." 

Such  is  the  spirit  of  the  present  age  that  the  im- 
prov(!mentsand  facilities  of  intercourse  amongst  nii- 
tions  and  communities  have  outstripjied  the  Imagi- 
nations and  expectations  of  tlie  most  sanuMiinc;  and 
it  is  not  chimerical  to  s:.y  that,  in  a  few  years,  rail- 
roads will  cross  the  Rocky  mountains  and  con- 
nect with  St.  Louis;  iheiice  by  that  and  every  mode 
of  connexion  with  tiie  large  Atlantic  and  inland 
cities,  dill'using  for  home  and  foreign  consumption 
a  trade  whose  vastncss  and  extent  would  outvie  any 
heretofore  known  in  the  experience  of  the  world. 

Thus  having  the  Atlantic  on  the  east  and  the 
Pacific  on  tiie  west,  our  conimen-c!  would  display 
its  canvass  on  both  oceans,  and  biac  from  every 
rlinie  tlie  rewards  of  its  cnterj)risc-     r^very  sinew 


nnd  artery  of  the  nation  would  he  quickened  and 
invigorated  by  the  new  impulse  given  to  its  strength 
and  activity,  whilst  agriculture  would  reap  the 
golden  fruits  of  the  harvest,  and  manufacturers  learn 
to  excel  the'best  productions  of  other  nations. 

Having,  I  trust,  in  my  feelile  manner,  illustrated 
the  advantages  resulting  to  this  country  by  holdiiif:^ 
our  territory  on  the  Pacific,  and  having  shown  that 
the  title  is  imqueHlionably  in  us,  we  have,  it  seems 
to  me,  but  one  cour.se  to  pursue,  and  that  is,  in  a 
peaceable,  quiet,  but  at  the  same  lime  determined 
manner,  to  maintain  our  rights,  cmne  what  may. 

Ours  should  be  a  ))eace  ])olicy.  We  should 
avoid  war  if  we  can  do  so  without  dishoiuu";  but 
rather  than  suIVer  the  national  tone  to  be  depressed, 
the  stars  and  .>tri]ics  to  be  dimmed,  or  the  territory 
which  is  rightfully  ours  to  be  wrested  from  us,  we 
.'ihould  unliesitutingly  make  this  last  appeal  of  na- 
tions without  counting  cost  or  consequences. 

While  we  would  not  invade  tlu;  rights  of  the 
weakest,  we  should  not,  witli  i;npunity,  submit  to 
wrongs  from  the  most  powerful  and  haughty  imlion 
on  the  globe. 

"  Be  just  and  fear  not;"  and  if  in  the  dispensa- 
tion of  event."?  war  should  come  upon  us,  1  cannot 
doubt  but  that  at  its  close,  asat  its  commencement, 
the  American  eagle  would  hover  over  us  with  liia 
eye  unquencheJ  and  his  spirit  unterriiied. 


cd  in  its  entire 

f  iK'tions,  prc- 

i's  population 

>sitioii  IS  one  of 

«        *        * 

)icgon,and  the 
fthe  world  will 
trade  of  the  Tn- 
n  in  succession 


